Southgate 177-5

Stanmore 140-6

Stanmore crashed to 18-5 and looked doomed to their first defeat of the season in their Middlesex County League match with Southgate at The Common on Saturday.

But Peter Edwards, Mark Dyson and Mark Stear fought back in great style and Stanmore eventually recovered to take the four run-rate points.

That was enough to put Alastair Fraser's men joint top of the league with Teddington and Brondesbury.

After Stanmore were set a target of 178, Umesh Valjee (1), Mihel Kamdar (3), Richard Brooker (4), Rob Hesketh (1) and skipper Fraser (7) were all back in the pavilion for 18 after eight overs.

Then Edwards (48 not out) and Dyson (38), who hit out to great effect, triggered the comeback in a stand of 70 in 54 minutes.

When Dyson fell to a return catch off Dean, Stear (25 not out) joined Edwards in a stand of 53 and Stanmore ended on 141-6 (Webster 3-49), off 40 overs, comfortably collecting the run-rate points.

"Not so long ago, we had no middle-order and would have folded. It was great to see the boys fight back like that," said Fraser.

Earlier, after Fraser put Southgate into bat, he struck in his first over, having opener Jouning caught by Stear for two. Southgate's other opener Steve Rowe (8) fell to a catch by Dyson off Stear at 34, and when Julian Makin trapped Dangerfield (2) lbw, the visitors were 40-3 off 20 overs.

Tight bowling continued to pin down Southgate, who needed 42 overs to reach three figures.

But Francey (78) held up Stanmore during a 2hr 46min stay, partnered by Bill Dean (37 not out) in a stand of 73.

Francey was finally fifth out at 153, lbw to Fraser, and Southgate, profiting from a couple of missed chances, ended on 177-5, off 55 overs.

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