Bessborough moved to the top of the Middlesex Championship after a four-wicket win over Birkbeck College at Headstone Manor.

Captain Rohan Karkhanis put Birkbeck into bat but the decision appeared to have backfired after the visitors got off to a strong start. Birkbeck eventually declared on 236 for nine from 54 overs.

Neal Patel was the most effective bowler as he picked up five for 71 while Akshay Hirani came away with two for 65.

In reply, a superb 104-run partnership between Ramesh Gunalan (79) and number three Nirav Ghantiwala (84 not out) put the home side in control and helped them reach the target.

The win takes them up to first but the team are only five points ahead of sixth place.

Bessborough Seconds lost by 16 runs to Southgate Seconds in Middlesex Division Three.

Rohan Desai took four for 25 as Southgate were all out for 113. But Bessborough faltered with the bat and they were dismissed for just 97.

The Thirds claimed a winning draw in their Middlesex 1987 Division One match with Edmonton Thirds.

Bessborough scored 258 for five and Edmonton finished well short on 144 for three.