WITH five matches to go it looks like the title race in the Premier Division of the Middlesex County Cricket League is going to go down to the wire.

Leaders North Middlesex were hoping to add to their advantage at the top of the table on Saturday when they travelled to Old Deer Park to take on Richmond.

It was always going to prove a tough fixture, but few would have predicted that Jacob Miltz’s squad would end up on the wrong side of a 10-wicket defeat.

Bowlers Eric Botha and Sam Graham were in frightening form as they echoed each other’s efforts, both picking up four wickets at the expense of 41 runs.

North Midd simply weren’t given the opportunity to build any meaningful partnerships, and soon found themselves back in the dressing room after being bowled out inside 32 overs for just 112.

Richmond could rely on openers Greg King and Vansh Jani to deliver them to victory. The unbeatable pairing saw King smash 71 off 54 balls in a knock that included 11 fours and a six, while Jani was always ready and willing to chip in as he hit six fours and a six on his way to scoring 39 off 56 balls. In the end Richmond needed less than 19 overs to reach their winning total of 115, securing a well-earned 10 points that drags them even further away from the relegation battle unfolding directly beneath them between Finchley and Brondesbury.

At the other end of the table North Midd are nine points clear going into this weekend’s must-win – or at least must-not-lose – home match against a stubborn Shepherd’s Bush side who are sitting third, just 10 points behind.

Meanwhile, in Division One, Hampstead continued their quest to return to the top-flight at the first time of asking with a four-wicket home win over Harrow Town.

Preet Himanshukumar put in a solid showing for Harrow Town as he whacked 78 off 105 balls before being bowled and caught by Will Roberts (2-34). Hampstead did well to smother Himanshukumar’s support with Damien Burrage taking 3-23, while Liam Hehir (2-46) and Sam Fraser (2-38) also both bowled well as Harrow Town were dismissed in the 54th over for 188.

This Hampstead side doesn’t seem to suffer from any title-chasing nerves, especially when openers Rafay Ahmed and Alex Duguid score 91 for their first-wicket partnership. Ahmed ended the afternoon with 51 off 61 balls, while Duguid scored 69 not out to leave the home side on the brink of victory. Burrage (16 runs), Dan Waite (13) and Roberts (12) all hit double figures to help finish the job as Hampstead scored 189-6 for the win and to protect their 23-point lead at the top of the table.

Mubasher Hassan’s side travel to Southgate this weekend.