IT proved an afternoon of fine margins in the Premier Division of the Middlesex County Cricket League on Saturday as spectators enjoyed two thrilling top-of-the-table clashes.

Shepherd’s Bush strengthened their early grip at the summit after beating rivals North Middlesex on their own patch by 66 runs.

Will Vanderspar had given the home side the perfect start at their Park Road ground when he removed openers Luke Matthews and Ikjot Thind for just two and three runs respectively to leave Shepherd’s Bush struggling on 10-2.

But Nick Appleton and Fin Trenouth forged a telling partnership as they scored 39 runs apiece to steady the ship.

Angus Beattie picked up the ball and quickly set about turning a topsy-turvy match back in North Midd’s favour. Bowling with relentless accuracy throughout what was an economical 11.3-over spell, Beattie collected four wickets at the expense of just 26 runs.

However, a late stand by Henry Blofield gave Shepherd’s Bush renewed hope as he hit 31 off 71 deliveries to help the visitors reach a defendable 171. Blofield’s afternoon was far from over, as he returned to do even more damage with the ball, taking six wickets for a miserly 34 runs.

Having impressed early on with his bowling, Vanderspar put in an equally determined display with the bat to score 41 off 56 balls. But when his resistance was broken by Ramon Bailey, North Midd found it harder to put runs on the board, and they were dismissed inside 32 overs for 105.

The defeat leaves North Midd second, 14 points behind Shepherd’s Bush, ahead of another tough test this weekend at Hornsey.

Elsewhere, Oyishik Chakraborty hit a stonking 129 off 142 balls in a mighty knock that included 16 fours and a six. But it still wasn’t enough to earn fourth-placed Hampstead the win in their home match against a Crouch End side sitting just one place above them.

Opener Rafay Ahmed also batted well for 31, while captain Mubasher Hassan chipped in with 29 as Hampstead posted a competitive 278-7 before declaring at Lymington Road.

Crouch End proved once again that they have plenty of big-hitters in their ranks as they came within a whisker of the win, ending play on 277-7. Opener Dhaval Narotam smashed 67, while Steven Cawood top-scored for the visitors with 77, and Shaariq Sheikh added a further 69.

At the end of a pulsating contest, Crouch End returned home with four points courtesy of their faster run rate, with Hampstead picking up a point.

Hassan’s side find themselves on the road this weekend when they take on defending champions Ealing, who are surprisingly second from bottom.