ON one of the hottest weekends of the year so far, Stanmore saw their chance to top the table go up in smoke as they lost to Winchmore Hill in the Middlesex County Cricket League. Choosing to bat first on an easy-paced track, Stanmore were bowled out for 199, failing to kick on after knocks from Umesh Valjee (59) and Trent Riley (74*).

Winchmore Hill paced their chase to perfection to record a five-wicket win, a result which means they leapfrog Stanmore into second place.

In the second division, Eastcote cruised to victory over Wembley on a surface that was showing the ill effects of last year's malicious damage. Wembley batted first and played positively despite the uneven bounce, but once the first wicket fell on 34 Eastcote soon had them on the rack. Luke Martin took 3-16 from 13 overs and only 104 was on the board when the last three wickets went down. In reply, Eastcote also found life difficult but Paul Martin (56*) and Paul Wise (12) worked very hard to put them within sight of the target. Noble (3-34) looked lethal for the home side but Martin's gritty innings saw Eastcote home.

In the third, Harrow stormed to victory over Barnet to put them right back in contention for the title. Dave Walker (110) was again the hero, together with Sean Ongers (84*) as the home side put together 256-5 declared from 50 overs. After the break, it was spin all the way for Harrow as Vishrant Gauba (7-58) and Keith Scott (3-27) bamboozled Barnet, who submitted to 154 all out. Openers Singh (53) and Vadgama (40) were the only ones to offer serious resistance and with Hornsey losing, Harrow now join them at the top.

It was not a day to be a batsman in the game between Bessborough and Wycombe House as the former sneaked home by two wickets. Things looked simple enough after Andrew Carr (5-36) steamrollered Wycombe for a paltry 89, but Bess made heavy weather of it and lost eight wickets chasing in a game which consisted of just 51 overs.

Harrow Town had made a promising start to the season but continued an alarming slump with a defeat to North Middlesex. Chasing a total of 241-5 inspired by Dan Wootton's 136 not out, Town tried to hang on for the draw but to no avail as they were bowled out for 164.

Finally, Kenton thumped bottom-of-the-table Hampton Wick Royal by eight wickets to go third. Hampton could only manage 125 all out and Sachin Patel (65) ensured Kenton needed only 16 overs to finish the match, leaving the Royals with a less than regal two points from six matches.

OTHER RESULTS: Division 1: Southgate (293-7d) drew with Teddington (275-9). Hampstead (297-7d) drew with Barnes (191-9). Finchley (238) lost to Brondesbury (239-4) by 6 wkts. Richmond (136) beat Ealing (110) by 26 runs. Division 2: Shepherds Bush (277-6d) beat South Hampstead (163) by 114 runs. Brentham (243-6d) beat North London (153) by 90 runs. Uxbridge (188) lost to Enfield (193-5) by 5 wkts. Ickenham (237-5d) lost to Barclays (238-7) by 3 wkts. Division 3: Hornsey (179) lost to Highgate (180-4) by 6 wkts.