BIG-HITTER Matthew Moran was back among the runs on Saturday as North Middlesex made light work of their home match against Premier Division strugglers Hornsey.

With knocks of 127, 121, 89 and 76 already under his belt, Moran has without doubt been one of the standout players in the Middlesex County Cricket League this season.

And the century-maker was at it again at the Park Road ground in Crouch End at the weekend when he posted his biggest score yet – smashing 153 runs off 136 balls in a mammoth innings that included 16 fours and nine sixes.

With James Parslow and Fergal Walter also both batting well for 47 runs each, North Midd took a telling grip on the match as they declared after 55 overs on 303-7.

Jeremy Warner then took centre stage against a side propping up the table – collecting five wickets at the expense of 19 runs as Hornsey were skittled out for 115.

The commanding 188-run victory means North Midd remain top of the table, nine points ahead of Teddington going into this Saturday’s match away at Ealing.

Elsewhere, Hampstead picked up a much-needed victory as they beat rivals Richmond by three wickets at Old Deer Park.

The home side might well have been regretting their decision to bat first as they were quickly reduced to 21-2 with Mubasher Hassan and Ben Lockrose picking up early wickets for Hampstead.

And it was Lockrose who returned time and again to cause damage, earning figures of 4-38 as Richmond were bowled out inside 39 overs for just 142.

Opener Callum Jackson ignited the chase with a rapid 47 off 52 balls, while Steve McGiffin top-scored for Hampstead with 49 as they kept the runs ticking over on their way to posting a winning score of 143-7.

The victory saw Hampstead climb to sixth in the 10-team table ahead of a more testing encounter against Stanmore this Saturday at Lymington Road.