JOE Kendall and Ciaran Johnson guided Hampstead to a stonking 10-wicket win over Finchley on Saturday as both hit centuries in the Premier Division of the Middlesex County Cricket League.

The opening batters lit up Lymington Road in West Hampstead as they forged an unbeatable partnership. Kendall smashed 123 runs off 137 balls in a knock that included 19 fours and a six, while Johnson thwacked 132 off 144 balls in a stand that included 21 fours.

Their combined efforts saw Hampstead reach their winning total of 266 in 46 overs to leave Mubasher Hassan’s side fourth in the table on 34 points – just two points behind early leaders Shepherd’s Bush.

Finchley had set Hampstead a testing target after ending their 66-over spell at the crease on 262-8. Joseph Emanuel was the pick of the visitors’ batters as he hit eight fours and four sixes on his way to amassing 89 runs off 105 balls. David Burton also batted well for 50 not out.

Kieran McComb bowled well for Hampstead to claim three wickets at the expense of 95 runs, while Omed Basir (2-33) and Will Roberts (2-48) also both performed well with the ball in hand.

Elsewhere, North Middlesex failed to build on their win over Hampstead last time out as they were beaten by leaders Shepherd’s Bush on Saturday.

Having opted to bat first, North Midd made a shaky start as they soon found themselves on 8-2 following the dismissals of captain Evan Flowers, who went for just four runs, and Jacob Milt, who departed without scoring.

Divyanshu Bhartiya offered some much-needed stability as he showed good shot selection on his way to posting a patient 61 off 97 balls. Will Vanderspar arrived mid-order to add a further 74 in a positive display that saw the batsman hit seven fours and three sixes.

In the end North Midd managed to post 248 before being dismissed in the 52nd over – a valiant effort when taking on the likes of Chinmay Mullapudi, who took 66-3, and Niranjan Naguleswaran, who finished with figures of 3-33.

Seamer Ethan Bamber, who grew up in Westminster, gave North Midd the ideal start in the field when he removed Shepherd’s Bush opener Luke Matthews for just four on his way to taking three wickets at the expense of 67 runs. But the home side showcased their title credentials as they still managed to eke out a four-wicket victory. Opener Marcus Howard scored 63 off just 62 balls, while Ali Easton top-scored for Shepherd’s Bush with 68 not out.

With Naguleswaran also batting well for an unbeaten 47, Shepherd’s Bush reached their winning score of 250-6 in 56 overs to take a well-earned 10 points.