Kenton recorded their third consecutive victory with a tense one wicket win over Ickenham on Saturday, a result which saw them move eight points clear at the top of the Middlesex County Cricket League's Division Three table.

On an overcast and humid day at Kenton Park Lane, with a wicket that appeared to be predominantly bowlerfriendly, Kenton captain David Sweeney won a crucial toss and inserted the away side.

As predicted, batting proved to be very tricky as Ickenham's openers struggled to get the ball off the square.

Ashish Karia (1-16) made the first breakthrough with only 16 on the board. Moshin Zubair bowled a tight spell from the other end, conceding just 14 from his eight overs, despite a wicket proving to be elusive.

Mitul Shah then came on first change and was equally miserly as Ickenham's struggles continued with the run rate teetering along at two an over.

At drinks, Ickenham were 50 for one with 25 overs gone.

The batsmen made no real attempt to up the ante until the 40 over mark when, with the score at 85 for three, they took the attack to the Kenton bowlers. But their attempts proved to be unsuccessful as they came up against some high quality spin bowling, and wickets soon started to tumble.

By the time 56 overs had commenced, Ickenham were all out for 140. The damage was once again inflicted by the spin duo of Sami Haider (7-61) and David Sweeney (2-29).

Despite the relatively small target, chasing was never going to be easy on a deteriorating wicket.

Although Kenton got off to a quick start, and had 30 on the board after four overs, wickets fell at regular intervals as the away side's spinners started to influence proceedings.

With the top order soon back in the pavilion, Ickenham were well and truly in the game when they had Kenton at 72 for six.

However, contributions all the way down the order were to prove vital in determining the outcome of the match.

A seventh wicket stand of 34 between Shah and Sweeney steadied the ship. Once Shah had fallen, Zubair joined his captain and together they edged Kenton towards the target.

With just 13 needed from four overs, Sweeney was peculiarly adjudged lbw, despite only muted appeals from the Ickenham fielders, and the ball appearing to strike the face of his bat.

Nevertheless, Kenton were not to be denied and, although Ronak Manek fell in the last over with three needed, Zubair and Haider were on hand to scrape Kenton home by the tightest of margins.

Kenton make the trip to local rivals