MIDDLESEX COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

Ealing 176 all out

Stanmore 121 all out

Stanmore lost by 55 runs

LEAGUE champions Ealing gained revenge for their five-wicket defeat at Stanmore two weeks ago with a 55-run victory over the northwest Londoners on Saturday.

International duo Mark Ramprakash and Corey Collymore were drafted into the depleted Stanmore side and despite all of their experience the pair couldn’t prevent the loss.

Ealing, put in to bat, were soon reduced to 33-4 with Australian Michael Van der Ende rising to the challenge of opening with West Indies bowling star Collymore. At 121-7 the hosts were reeling as the pace setters attacked one end and Ramprakash restricted the runs at the other.

Ealing managed to raise their total to 176 all out but Collymore (3-50) and Van der Ende (5-41) had done enough to suggest the visitors could go on to win the game.

The absence of several key batsmen was exposed as the team tumbled to 48-6, yet while all around him perished, Ramprakash remained unmoved at the crease.

Collymore joined the England right-hander and the duo comfortably dealt with the threat of the Ealing attack.

The game was swinging in the visitors’ favour and a winning draw looked likely until a controversial lbw decision saw Collymore sent packing.

Ramprakash kept the runs flowing and formed another decent partnership with Van der Ende to guide Stanmore in sight of four valuable points, but the demise of Van der Ende signalled the end as he was soon followed by Ramprakash.

Meanwhile, Stanmore’s seconds suffered a 101-run loss against Richmond and the thirds had to settle for a losing draw at Ealing. The fourths were defeated at home to Hampstead.