On a Sunny afternoon at North London’s home ground the North Middlesex 3rd XI triumphed in a relatively one-sided encounter. Wickets fell early in North London’s innings due to a fine even bowling display led by Ian Bennett, Chris McCabe and Scott Richardson. A determined effort by North London’s cult number ten being the only reason North Mid lost the race with Highgate next door for the fastest dismissal of their opponents.  Restricting North London’s batsman to a modest total of 152 all out in just 40 overs, North Mid were sent in for a nervous 15 over spell before the tea break. A solid start by North Mid’s opening partnership of Graham Clark and Tim Allen saw North Mid to within a few overs of the break with almost 50 runs on the board. A mini fight-back by North London, however, sent the teams to Lunch with the game still in the balance – North Mid 54 for 2 at tea. After the break Tim Allen continued on with his pre-lunch heroics, manipulating the bowlers length with the Pietersen charge at every opportunity. It was when the 3rd wicket partnership fell, however, that the fireworks began. Striding to the wicket came Robbie Kent, a glint in his eye as he perused the short boundary. In a display that could only be described as imposing, Kent proceeded to dispatch the leather to all regions of the park, clearing the long on and square leg boundaries with ease. With 45 runs to score for an impressive victory Ian Bennett was heard to remark ”I think another 20 runs and we’ve got this one sewn up“ – six balls later Kent had achieved Bennett’s goal. Undefeated on 69 (a score Kent is said to try to achieve every Saturday) the captain saw North Middlesex home with 25 overs to spare.

Clearly North Mid’s 3rd XI is setting itself for a strong second half to the season.

Match Report : Scott Richardson

Photos : Percy Verity & Cliff Tibber

North Middlesex 3rd XI enjoyed a fine afternoon of cricket against opponents Twickenham on Saturday. On a dry, hard North Midd track, the runs flowed, and a total of over 650 was amassed from both sides...it certainly was not an afternoon for even the keenest of bowlers! The Midd batted first, and got off to a flying start thanks to openers Clark and Nurse. The younger of the two openers (Nurse) was outstanding, and with spectacular text-book shots that had the spectators applauding before the ball hit the boundary rope, set the tone and standard for the rest of the afternoon to come. The openers put on 80 for the first wicket, and this provided the perfect platform for ”Mr North Midd“ , none other than Richard Nicoll who entered the arena. The evergreen Nicoll played with style and class and demonstrated  cricketing shots straight out of the ECB coaching manual! Clark, who has been in terrific form this season, continued his excellent run, and notched up another 81 runs before falling. The technique and tempo increased as The Midds 3rd XI Aussie star Richardson, dispatched the ball to all corners of the ground, as he is adjusting to the English conditions and the teas!

Richard Nicoll completed an amazing century in fine style, which included 5 sixes. This innings helped North Midd reach a healthy total of 280 for 4 after 49 overs.

After a spicy tea, Twickenham made a swift start, and soon had 100 runs on the board. This showed the quality of the wicket, as the Midd openers, Boothe and Hossain,did not bowl badly. It was a busy afternoon for the fielders, as the Midd were soon chasing leather to the boundary. Good spells of bowling from youngsters Zulfi and Connor, were the highlight of the Twickenham innings, and the only thing stopping them from taking further wickets, were the age restriction limits on the number of overs bowled in a spell.

Twickenham batted well, but fell 22 runs short, and lost only 5 wickets in their 51 overs. This ensured that The Midd had the better of the draw, and collected 4 points for their endeavors. All in all an excellent game of cricket, played in a good spirit, and with lots of enthusiasm.

However, the star of the show continued to be Richard Nicoll, in completing a fine maiden century for North Middlesex Cricket Club, and in such an accomplished and gracious manner. The cheers from the pavilion, as he completed his century, are still echoing down Park Road, respecting a fine innings and also in recognition of the tireless commitment and effort this legend has selflessly given to the Midd, over the last decade.

Match Report : Tim Allen

Photos : Cliff Tibber

With a depleted lineup stemming from fitness holidays and school detention, the 3's took on a well organised Barnes outfit at the CSSC grounds in Chiswick.

Winning the toss and electing to bat first on a greenish pitch the Mid posted a respectable 212 off 56 overs against Barnes's formidable left arm attack.

One after the other of those cackky handers bowled a good line and length with a little movement with the wrong hand to make the task of setting up the innings a difficult task for the Mid top order.

Tim and Joseph made a fine start, weathering the new ball attack before making way for the star of the show Tim Boyd on his return to the Mid.

Good partnerships with Sean, Chris Macabe and Mustard which included some fine strokeplay and good 'partnership' batting saw the Tiger take command of the Mid's batting lineup and with the declaration in sight took the long handle to the Barnes attack to bring up a magnificent century.

And despite a some precise new ball bowling from Rajib and Usman followed by fine spells from Chris and Andre, Barnes were able to stay on track to claim the 4 points chasing 167 of 46 overs for the winning draw.

10 Points next week against Twickenham on home turf puts the 3's right back in the mix at the pointy end of the table - lets give them a complete North Mid performance next week

Report Seano

Match Report 31/05/08. North Middlesex 3 XI V’s Winchmore Hill 3 XI.

The three’s return to park road on after 20 points from the last two games. Rob Kent took to the middle for the toss and won one.

A younger than usual 3’s took the field and the first innings went off like a train. Two quick wickets, one a piece, from openers Scott and

Brett cleared their openers. Some effective batting saw Winchmore Hill to about 150 before Zulfi and Connor broke through during short but sweet spells. Andre held one end collecting a couple on the way. Highlights in the field included a stunning catch from Scott, some dynamic close fielding from Timmy Allen.

Grand total 196 for 9 dec off 50 overs. Second innings opened with Clark and Allen falling to the outside edge to the keeper. Joseph (16) batting  with authority for a while dispatching some full tosses beautifully but eventually fell to a superb bit of fielding. Scott (29) and Zulfi (19) provided the highlight of the innings with a good partnership which gave hope in salvaging something from the game. Unfortunately the lower order went the same way as the top end with quick wickets. All out for 114.

Report: Graham Clark

After a hard earned point away to Hornsey last week North Midd came into their first home game looking for that vital 1st win to get their season off and running. Their opponents were Harrow and on a overcast, cloudy and drizzly day it was Harrow who won the toss and put North Midd in to bat.Tim Allen and Graham Clarke got the innings off to a steady start against some lively and accurate bowling, until Tim thinking he was at Wembley on cup final day decided to head the ball and was duely retired hurt needing a couple of stitches to a head wound.In came Scott who went back as quickly as he came in,Richard was caught early in his innings then it was the skippers turn but some dubious running between him and Graham resulted in the skipper returning straight back to the pavillion, Zulfi joined Graham at the crease and steadied the ship for a while with Graham stroking the ball to all parts of the ground on his way to making a superb 86,some big hitting from Andre at the end (46 off 20 odd balls) including a six into Park Road while clearing the houses resulted in North Midd reaching 208 all out off 39 overs.

After a lovely tea consisting of vegetable curry, then apple pie and cheesecake it was North Midd's turn to take to the outfield which was'nt helped by Biff our opening bowler pulling his hamstring whilst batting and not taking the field so it was up to Brett and Ben Tibber to take the new ball, a wicket in each of their first overs got North Midd off to the perfect start, but some good hitting which consistently found the gaps Harrow started to make light work of the total needed reaching 65-2 off of 10 overs,Zulfi joined Brett in the attack when Bootsy got the vital breakthrough quickly followed by Zulfi trapping their dangerman LBW then the game turned quickly back into North Midds favour,3 wkts in one over by Bootsy including a fine slip catch by the skipper (ive gotta get that one in) meant that only the weather could stop North Midd from gaining 10 points,Ian Bennet came in to the attack taking 2 wickets which meant Harrow were bowled all out for 96, it was a good allround performance with some fine batting and some superb bowling Brett being the pick 11 overs 6 for 34, so North Midd's 1st ten points on the board with hopefully many more to come.

Well done to everyone involved and it was good to see Tim back at the midd enjoying a pott or two.

Report: Rob Kent

North Middlesex skipper Robbie Kent won the toss, and put Hornsey in to bat. The home team were restricted to 21-2 in the first 17 overs, thanks to excellent opening bowling from Brett Boothe and Carl Donovan. Hornsey batted well after that thanks to fine half centuries form Richard Charlton and Johnny Bruce, and declared after 52 overs with the score at 214-8 declared. The North Midd bowling attack was supplemented by Rajjib,Zulfi,Andre,Scott and Yohan, and the fielding from the Midd was spectacular to say the least.

North Midd also struggled early doors when they batted, and it was not until a fine 4th wicket partnership of 80 from 13 year old Middlesex colt Zulfi, and Joseph James, that an innings was building.

Zulfi scored a brilliant half century, under difficult pressure conditions, and demonstrated a fine range of stroke play for such a young talent.

North Midd chased the Hornsey total, but once Joseph James and Zulfi were dismissed, decided to defend out the last 10 overs, to ensure a draw and a share of the spoils.The Midd ended their innings on 143-8 after 48 overs.

Report :Tim Allen

Photos :Cliff Tibber