SHEPHERD'S Bush are one game from the Premier Division after securing an emphatic victory over basement boys Barnes on Saturday. Ed Reynolds' side welcomed Alan Richardson back to Bromyard Avenue...

SHEPHERD'S BUSH (274-3) beat BARNES (119) by 155 runs

By Ben Pearce

SHEPHERD'S Bush are one game from the Premier Division after securing an emphatic victory over basement boys Barnes on Saturday.

Ed Reynolds' side welcomed Alan Richardson back to Bromyard Avenue and the Middlesex pace bowler returned in style, taking 4-18 to break the back of the visitors' order and help skittle Barnes for 119.

"It was good to have Alan playing, he's very useful," said Will Speer. "We knew that with him and Amit [Suman] in the side we could post a good total and bowl them out for the win."

Bush had won the toss and put Barnes into the field on a hot day, and Robbie Watts was quickly into his stride on a good batting surface.

Jack Blackiston-Houston made 82 and Suman six, but it was Watts who stole the show, making a massive 163 not out to anchor the innings and allow Reynolds to declare on 274-3.

Then the home side's pace attack took over responsibility for securing the vital 10 points, and Richardson tore through the openers in a devastating early spell.

He was aided by Suman, who took one wicket, and Speer and Del Mian, who got two each, as Barnes tumbled to a 155 run defeat.

That sets up a dramatic last day in Middlesex County League Division Two, with three teams firmly in contention for the two promotion spots.

North Middlesex sit just one point behind Bush and host Twickenham, while Richmond - six points behind - are away at Barnes and would leapfrog Reynolds' side if they win and Bush lose.

So close is the league that if Richmond win and Bush gain a winning draw, SB would be promoted on wickets taken alone as the two sides would have the same number of points, wins and winning draws.

"Richmond have got Barnes this weekend and we expect them to win that, which means we need four points from our game," explained Speer.

"I've thought about it a lot and I still don't know whether it would be better to bat or bowl first. If we bat second we could reach the total for the winning draw and then block out, but ultimately it's pointless trying to plan it because we can't influence the toss."

Speer is hoping for a helping hand from above on Saturday, as an abandoned match would see Bush promoted without a ball being bowled, but he also revealed that his team-mates have a plan B in place.

"The weather's not supposed to be too good this weekend and that could be a big factor," he said. "We're hoping for a blanket of rain across London and we'll all be out doing rain dances on Friday night.

"In case that doesn't work we've arranged extra practise this week to keep ourselves focused and to give ourselves the best chance possible, because we've had a good season and it would be a travesty if we didn't go up this weekend.

"We've always felt that we had the best outfit in the division and at the start of the season we all said that finishing second would be a disappointment," he added. "Obviously our priorities have now changed and as long as we secure promotion we won't care whether we're first or second.

"The champagne's on ice and fingers crossed we'll be celebrating in style on Saturday night.