North Middlesex won the toss and elected to bat on a pitch that was firm on top, but which was moist underneath after heavy rain during the week. Joe Cracknell and Luke Hollman replaced Alex MacQueen and Evan Flowers from the XI who played Ealing the previous day. It was a sunny blustery afternoon, with no rain threatening. Brondesbury were almost at full strength, and from their warm-up, clearly meant business, having won their first League game of the season the previous day.

After an eventful first over, from which Joe Cracknell plundered 11 runs, Alistair Wilkinson bowled a ‘jaffa’ at pace which sent his off-stump spinning back 10 yards, after an off-cutter threaded itself through the ‘gate’ (11-1;11;1.1); next ball Ollie Tikare patted a tame catch back to the bowler (11-2:0;1.2). James Parslow came out and steadied the ship with Hollman, on a pitch where the ball was moving extravagantly at times with variable bounce. The latter began to play increasingly fluently until he attempted an ambitious stroke off Gus Beagles, by moving well across his stumps and playing across the line, only to lose his leg stump behind his legs (45-3;19;10.5).

Will Vanderspar began quietly before unleashing a back-foot square cover drive for 4, followed by sublimely lofting ex Middlesex and Surrey left-arm spinner Nayan Doshi’s first ball over long-on for 6. Parslow was content to score mainly in singles, and the pair added an invaluable 40 in 13 overs when he flicked Adam Wilson off his legs so well that it carried to the long-leg boundary, where Beagles took a fine catch (85-4;30;23.2); he is having no luck at present. Gareth James was immediately purposeful, hitting a couple of boundaries, until he middled a pull off Wilson which would have cleared the deep square-leg boundary comfortably had it not been superbly caught by James Williams leaping as a salmon (108-5;13;27.6); 2 overs later Tom Nicoll lamely patted Wilson to mid-off (109-6;0;29.2). Ethan Bamber began purposefully, but gave Joshi the charge too early and was stumped by a couple of yards (123-7:6;32.4); a rash shot in the circumstances, with 12 overs still to go.

The hosts were in danger of being bowled out well within their allocated 45 overs, but Matt Cracknell joined Vanderspar and played with the necessary care and unselfishness, aiming to give the latter the strike wherever possible. Vanderspar did not waste opportunities to score between defending stoutly on an unpredictable pitch, and hit off-spinner Nelson over long-on and pulled Wilson over deep mid-wicket for sixes. Matt Cracknell’s patience finally ran out after 3 consecutive dot balls when he attempted a grand sweep off Nelson and was palpably LBW (162-8;6;40.4): they had put on 39 in 9 overs and ensured that there would be a total to bowl at. In the next over, Max Harris skied Beagles to third man (169-9;3;41.6), and in the following over Hugh Teesdale struck a Nelson full-toss straight to mid-on from the last ball, when he simply needed to block it to keep Vanderspar on strike (175 all out;1;42.6). The Midd therefore threw away the last 2 overs, but the general feeling was that they had achieved a substantial total on a pitch which favoured the bowlers.

By this stage the number of spectators had grown considerably. They included Angus Fraser and others from Middlesex. They were most welcome. Vanderspar underpinned the innings with watchful defence tempered with fluent stroke-play from the bad ball; ultimately, his 69 not out from 80 balls with 2 fours and 3 sixes was the difference between the sides. Doshi (9-1-26-1) and Wilkinson (9-1-31-2) were the pick of the bowlers, and the visitors had taken all of their chances. 175 represented a gettable total but at least two players would have to play major innings and master the conditions.

By this stage the number of spectators had grown considerably and included Angus Fraser and 1st XI Middlesex pros Martin Anderson, Max Holden and Jack Davies. The crowd was swelled further by a contingent of our U17s and their supporters returning from the County Final. Sadly we lost that to a strong Teddington side. Hopefully we will exact revenge in the MDL Final also against Teddington this coming Sunday 6 September. Here are some crowd pics -

Fernandes and Overy began calmly until the dangerous latter lost patience and tried to loft Hugh Teesdale onto the Crouch End ground, only to sky the ball to Harris at mid-on (15-1;4;5.3); in his next over the same bowler induced Ferandes to snick to Matt Cracknell behind the stumps (18-3;10;7.1), and later that over he trapped Bethell palpably LBW, caught in the crease (20-3:2;7.6). Teesdale (7-0-25-4) was bowling with his customary rhythm and full length, and it was gratifying to see him finally reap his reward for some excellent spells this season; he completed his tallly by having Williams well caught at 2nd slip by Parslow (30-4;1;9.3); Bamber (6-1-23-0) bowled aggressively and unluckily at the other end throughout, maintaining the pressure.

Here is Teesdale in action -

Brondesbury were on the run and in danger of collapsing, but veteran Ben Claypole now joined the fray and immediately went on the attack, powerfully scoring 19 from his first 14 deliveries. In his prime he scored 236* in a 45-over National KO match, and for as long as he was at the crease, a win for the visitors was a distinct possibility. The introduction of Hollman, turning his leg-breaks sharply, did the trick as Claypole meated a flat drive to long-off and Nicoll never looked like dropping a vital catch (60-5;31 from 23 balls;17.4); next ball young Beagles was LBW pushing well forward (60-6;0;17.5). Wilkinson joined Shaw, who had been content to defend, and they survived 10 overs, but only put on 20 runs against tight bowling from Hollman (6-0-15-2) and Vanderspar (7-1-14-0). They eventually tried to test Harris at mid-on, who did not disappoint, as he threw the keeper’s stumps down and Wilkinson was run out (80-7;15;26.5). Nicoll was also turning his leg-break considerably, and he persuaded Doshi, having just hit a 6 and 4, to come down the wicket and attempt a wild drive, only to be easily stumped by Matt Cracknell (93-8;10;27.6). Shaw’s lonely vigil finally came to an end when he was bowled by Nicoll (96-9; 15 from 75 balls;31.3), and in his next over Wilson skied to backward point (99 all out;3;33.1), leaving disgruntled veteran Rob Nelson 2 not out. Nicoll finished with the flattering figures of (4.1-1-15-3), and Harris had carried on from the previous day to bowl tightly and a full length (3-2-7-0): he deserved at least 3 wickets over the two spells. The fielding had been sharp and, as in the first innings, all chances were accepted in a strong fielding performance.

All smiles at the end from Vanders, Tommy Nic and Skipper Pars -

The 76 run winning margin owed much to Vanderspar’s excellent knock, but this was a fine team performance and the side looked determined and motivated after the previous day’s defeat. The final, on Saturday 19th September, represents a chance to avenge it, as Ealing comfortably overcame a substantially below-strength Teddington in the other semi-final. A final word for the two umpires: Paul Nicholls and Neville Kent, 2 of the 3 best umpires in the League, who clearly demonstrated why they are ranked so high; both gave impeccable performances which went largely unnoticed, as, in an ideal game, they should be.