Brondesbury 206-7 dec Richmond 104-8

Middlesex County League Division One

Brondesbury climbed to within four points of leaders and title favourites Ealing after taking four points from their rain-hit match with Richmond at Old Deer Park.

Put in by Richmond, Brondesbury soon dominated and were 160-3 off only 30 overs at lunch.

Mike Hood and Ian Kidd led the onslaught, putting on 126 in 24 overs. Hood played an aggressive innings of 89 off only 77 balls and Kidd continued his good form, batting sensibly for 40.

Unfortunately for Brondesbury, the heavens opened, with no further play possible until 5.05pm. The umpires calculated that there were 44 overs left and quick runs enabled the visitors to declare at 206-7.

With 35 overs left, Richmond needed 207 to win or 185 for four points. Tight bowling by Brondesbury ensured that they never came close to either target.

Luke O'Reilly (5-36) bowled excellently with skipper Rob Nelson (3-30) and only a brave fight by the tail-enders denied them victory.

On Sunday, Brondesbury beat Walton-on-Thames by 48 runs in the Evening Standard Trophy and are home to Wimbledon in the fourth round on July 22.

Brondesbury made a shaky start at 30-3 but they recovered to reach 185-8 thanks to Kidd (49) and Tommy Simpson (65).

Walton's innings also began with a run out but they recovered to 50-2 before Brondesbury's spin twins Mark (3-27) and Nelson (2-13) caused a collapse to 96-6.

The visitors were all out for 138.