NORTH Middlesex were sheepish in Shepherd’s Bush on Saturday as they were bowled out at the New Ground for just 115 runs.

With the Middlesex County Cricket League entering the timed matches – switching from the 50 overs format – the last thing North Midd needed was a player arriving at the crease in the mood for a lengthy stay.

But that’s exactly what Shepherd’s Bush batter James Billington did as he hit 109 off 129 balls.

With openers Luke Matthews (45 runs) and George Collins (31) offering up a solid start the home side went on to score 307-8 before declaring after 64 overs.

It was to prove a total that North Midd would get nowhere near, especially with Idris Otto-Mian tearing through their top order on his way to claiming three wickets at the expense of 25 runs.

Ali Easton pretty much took care of the rest, finishing with figures of 5-19 as North Midd were bowled out within 32 overs for 115 – handing Shepherd’s Bush a 192-run victory.

The defeat sees North Midd drop to third in the Premier Division table, a point behind second-place Stanmore and 10 behind leaders Teddington.

Elsewhere, Hampstead picked up two points after drawing against Twickenham at their home ground in Lymington Road.

Opting to bat first, Ethan Wright top-scored for Twickenham with 64 as they put 239 runs on the board before being dismissed after 63 overs.

Despite an unbeaten partnership between Ben Lockrose, who hit 69 not out, and Oliver Grayson, who posted 62 not out, Hampstead fell short of a winning reply, ending on 176-6 off 56 overs. The result leaves them eighth in the 10-team table.