Bessborough’s batting once again proved to be their downfall as they failed to chase down another low target.

They were bowled out for 127, chasing 180 against Middlesex County Cricket League Division Three leaders Highgate.

The bowlers had set things up nicely by restricting Highgate to 179 all out in 55 overs, their lowest complete innings total of the season.

Spinners Sherrick Chavda (four for 32) and Kibreeth Rameez (four for 62) caused most havoc to Highgate, who were in trouble at 26 for four and 54 for five before a sixth-wicket stand of 61 between Will Brookes (36) and Craig Gourlay (39) put them back on the road to respectability.

Some valuable lower order knocks added what proved crucial runs.

Bessborough’s reply got off to a nightmare start with Ishan Shah departing in the first over without scoring. Kushal Patel (22) and Rishi Patel (4) dug in to add 37 for the second wicket.

Sadly, that was the best partnership Bessborough could muster as wickets tumbled with monotonous regularity.

Only three other players made it to double figures with Jigar Shah (28) top scoring as the side timidly capitulated to 127 all out in 41.2 overs.

Fortunately, bottom side North London failed to capitalise as they narrowly lost by one wicket to Barnes so the gap remains at three points with four games remaining.

Next up, Bessborough entertain fourth-placed Winchmore Hill at Headstone Manor and will be looking to revenge after previous heavy away defeats in the Middlesex Cup and MCCL this season.

Bessborough Seconds produced one of their best performances of the season at home to league-leaders Wembley, but it wasn’t quite enough to capture the maximum ten points.

Batting first on the Headstone Manor Road, Bessborough scored 238 for four from 55 overs with Adil Parker (60), Urooj Ahmed (55) and Mitesh Vyas (66) accountable for the bulk of the runs.

Another inspired bowling performance by Nitin Modha (five for 29) – his sixth five wicket hault of the year - almost earned victory, but Wembley’s lower order clung on at 129 for eight, leaving Bessborough to make do with four points from a winning draw.

Despite not winning Bessborough were lifted off the bottom of the league due to South Hampstead being docked 30 points for repeatedly fielding an ineligible player. Their penalty means that they are now eight points below Bessborough.

As for Bessborough they trail Saturday's opponents Harrow, who lost on at the weekend, by four points. 

Bessborough Thirds had to settle for their third winning draw on the trot away to Indian Gymkhana in Division two of the Middlesex 1987 Cricket League.

Captain Ian Ridley lost the toss and was put in to bat on an uncut strip.

The Bessborough batsmen did well not to let their disappointment of the conditions affect their game as they posted another impressive total – 260 for four declared off 46 overs.

Vidoosha Jayawardena (75) top scored - his best ever for a senior Bessborough team; Richard Clarke (55), Sanil Shah (41) and Vinay Bhudia (50 not out).

Gymkhana’s opener Shakeel (75) was tough to crack but Bessborough were able to take the wickets of his team-mates easier. Despite having six or so overs at the last-wicket pair, the home side just about held on to restrict Bessborough to four points.

Bessborough slip to fourth place after that result, but remain in touching distance of the second automatic promotion spot.

North London were gifted a big advantage in the title race after picking up a win without having to play when Teddington conceded, meaning they lead by 16 points with four games to go.

Bessborough Fourths delivered one of their best batting performances of the season at home to Alexandra Park, scoring 262 for six declared in 46 overs.

Opener Beavan Fernando started quickly scoring with 30 in just five overs before he was caught at mid-on mistiming a full-toss.

After the dismissal of Beavan and numbers three Harris Malik (0), Bessborough’s stand-in skipper and opener Simon Heaney continued to dismantle the AP attack.

Heaney and Praekash Balendra put on 91 for the third wicket before Heaney was caught at first slip in the 21st over for 71.

Balendra continued to provide a steady influence at one end as Aman Maan (38) launched into the ball, eventually edging behind after scoring a notable 54. Colt Jamie Young (36) and Bharat Vyas (14 not out) added some quick runs at the end allowing Heaney to declare after 46 overs with a formidable target of 263.

Fidel Ragbeer (7) showed some early intent with a huge six to cow corner but once he was out the way the away side seemed to give up the idea of going for the win and were content with blocking out for the majority of their innings.

A couple of routine dropped chances didn’t help Bessborough’s cause but it was another abject lesson that bowling first is crucial in this league to have the best chance of winning.