THE cricket season may have started in April, but last weekend saw the kind of weather that players and fans dream of.

Temperatures soared as high as 26, as the whole of Middlesex basked in glorious sunshine.

The fine weather prompted some sterling performances with both bat and ball across the whole of the Middlesex league.

In division one, Stanmore played host to Hampstead.

Captain, Mark Reingold, won the toss and decided to bowl against a Hampstead team featuring veteran Middlesex campaigner Paul Weekes.

Weekes rattled up 76 runs before being caught by Niraj Jadav.

The middle order of Hampstead's side were solid and Hampstead declared after amassing a total of 247-5.

M Bhatt bowled a staggering 24 overs in the scorching heat.

The Stanmore bowler was rewarded with figures of 4-97.

Stanmore started off well, as opener Glucka Wijesuriya scored 44, but the combined force of Hampstead's bowling attack ended up with Stanmore out for 197, leaving the home side 53 runs short.

In Division Two, Harrow travelled to Shepherd's Bush in a top half of the table clash.

Shepherd's Bush captain Ben Colbeck, won the toss and decided to put his team in to bat.

He was handsomely rewarded by Ed Reynolds, 62 and Algie Corbin, 52, but despite the sescores the rest of his side only managed to score another 85 runs, leaving Shepherd's Bush with a total of 199 to defend.

Harrow captain Dave Walker led from the front, as he scored 57 not out and his side cruised to a five wicket victory.

The win moves Harrow into fifth in the league, and Shepherd's Bush, remain in third place, one spot off promotion.

Barnes are not top of the division for no reason this season, and their fine form was again evident as they cruised to a 167 run victory over mid-table Wembley.

Barnes seem to have a winning formula for team members who can contribute well with both the bat and the ball.

Notable performances for Barnes came from James Drake-Brockman, 65, and Matt Ewer, who finished with impressive figures of 5-27 as Wembley were scuttled out for a paltry 97.

Eastcote faced tough opposition as South Hampstead visited their picturesque ground.

South Hampstead batted first and Zia Sialvi, 85, and Kamran Qaisar, 56, did most of the damage for the vistors as they raced towards a respectable total of 232 all out.

Eastcote tried their best to respond and reach the target set for them, but after 48 overs and the loss of eight wickets, had managed to reach only 209 runs, which left South Hampstead with a winning draw.

In division three, Bessborough travelled to North Middlesex who lie in second place.

Bessborough won the toss and decided to bowl and were punished by an imperious display of batting by North Middlesex as they reached a huge total of 312 for the loss of two wickets.

David Reid, scored a fine 162, and was well supported by Shahim Khan, 67.

It was always going to be a tough score to beat, and after 50 overs, Bessborough succumbed having scored a gutsy 213-10.

Kenton looked to be in trouble, early on as they visited Highgate, and were only saved by Narendra Patel's, middle order heroics as he scored 78 of Kenton's 214 runs.

Highgate chased the runs and were rewarded with a winning draw, as they finished the days play on 185-8 after 46 overs.