THE heavy downpours helped North Middlesex hold on to their place at the top of the table on Saturday in the Premier Division of the Middlesex County Cricket League.

No doubt in the hope of restricting Ealing to a score that could quickly be chased down, North Midd started their attack in the field. It was a tactic that looked to be working when Joel Hughes claimed the wickets of Lachlan Shaw and Mylo Wilkin to leave Ealing struggling on 24-2.

But opener Mungo Russell helped the away side to steady the ship as he hit 59 off 67 balls in a knock that included nine fours.

Hughes did his best to make the most of whatever play would be available, going on to end his 23-over bowling spell with four wickets to his name at the expense of 72 runs. Max Harris also bowled well to claim 3-21.

However, Kristian Martin’s patient knock saw his side eke past the 200 mark – the Ealing skipper posting 43 not out as the visitors were dismissed for 213.

With grey skies looming, Russell, who took a five-wicket haul for just 39 runs, and Bobby Gamble, who picked up 3-23, powered Ealing to the brink of victory.

In the end, though, the rain arrived to save North Midd as the match was abandoned with the hosts sitting on 84-8. As a result both teams were awarded three points, leaving North Middlesex four points clear at the top of the division ahead of a tough away day at Crouch End this weekend.

Elsewhere, Hampstead played out a home draw against Brondesbury at Lymington Road.

Brondesbury were sent out to start in the field, and duly set about taking wickets at regular intervals with Josh McTaggart (5-76) and Wes Morrick (4-49) causing havoc.

Callum Jackson top-scored for Hampstead with 33 runs as the hosts were bowled out in for 146.

It was a crazy afternoon that saw teams taking risks to rack up runs before the rain, and Steve McGiffin almost took full advantage as he picked up 5-32 to give Hampstead a glimmer of hope of snatching the win. However, Brondesbury dug in to end their 23-over batting spell on 86-7 to earn four points for the draw.

Hampstead, meanwhile, collected just one point, leaving them sitting ninth in the 10-team table.

This weekend Hampstead will travel to Twickenham to play the only side beneath them.