THE season can’t end soon enough for North Middlesex, who slipped to their fifth defeat on the spin on Saturday in their penultimate match in the Premier Division of the Middlesex County Cricket League.

Welcoming Crouch End to their Park Road ground there was every hope that North Midd could overcome the absence of a number of key players to end their home campaign on a high.

Stand-in skipper Will Vanderspar certainly did his best to make that happen as he thwacked 117 runs off 124 balls in a knock that included 13 fours and five sixes.

But with little in the way of support on the scoreboard, his efforts proved in vain as North Midd were bowled out for 196 in the 44th over of their reply – some 83 runs short of victory.

It came after Crouch End had posted 278-9 from their allotted 50 overs, led by opener Joel Curtis who scored a well-crafted 98 off 114 balls.

Shayaan Calcuttawala tried to give North Midd a realistic target to chase as he took 3-45, while Vanderspar (2-24) and David O’Sullivan (2-40) also both bowled well.

But in the end North Midd couldn’t halt the losing streak as Crouch End went on to seal an 82-run victory.

Life certainly won’t get any easier for North Midd this Saturday when they end the season away to champions Teddington.

Elsewhere, Hampstead were narrowly denied their third successive league win as they were beaten by just 25 runs away to Shepherd’s Bush.

Ben Frazer’s side shared the wickets around, with Steve McGiffin and Andy Collier both ending with figures of 2-43, as Shepherd’s Bush were bowled out for 142.

Ramon Bailey (4-19) and Ali Easton (4-31) were in even more devastating form, however, as they inspired a rapid response from the home side, who dismissed Hampstead for 117.

Hampstead will be looking for a final day victory on Saturday when they entertain Ealing at Lymington Road.