Stanmore showed no mercy as they claimed a five-wicket success at home to Ealing in Middlesex County Cricket League Division One.
Having wisely elected to bowl, Stanmore picked up two early wickets through Steven Cook (five for 35) and Michael Van der Ende (one for 41) as Ealing were left reeling at one for two.
Useful knocks from Chris Wakefield (62), David Holt (43) and Mylo Wilkin (39) steadied the ship for the visitors but the determined Stanmore attack saw Ealing all out for 190, with Mukesh Bhatt (three for 41) and Marc Reingold (one for 29) also getting in on the act.
Openers Steve Mehra (duck) and Tom Cullen (11) were lost early on in the reply but Mark Ramprakash set the tone with a dominant display.
His unbeaten 80 provided the backbone for the Stanmore innings and coupled with a collection of double figure scores, including Omar Anwar’s 36, the home side eased their way to their target for the loss of five wickets.
Saturday sees mid-table Stanmore again face Finchley who fell to a 76-run loss at home to Winchmore Hill.
Steve Selwood’s unbeaten century-knock of 102 was not enough as the home side might now regret their decision to bowl.
Hill’s scoring was consistent throughout, with only three members of the order failing to post double figures.
Opener Scott Newman posted 61 and was joined in reaching a half century by Sasha Selveratnum (51).
Despite Hill’s dominance with the bat, Imran Qayyum starred for the Finchley attack, claiming six wickets as the home side chipped away at their visitors’ order.
Jake Milton also picked up two wickets as Hill were dismissed for 252 after 64 overs.
Selwood’s score was the high point of a disappointing innings from Finchley as they were just unable to handle the Hill attack, led by a five-wicket haul from Jamie Thorpe.
Hassan Khan did well in posting 33 while Majed Ali (14) was the only other double-figure scorer, meaning Finchley were all out for 176.
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