BRONDESBURY finally got their campaign up and running with Ben Claypole excelling to guide his side to their first win of the season. First team captain Tom Simpson won the toss...

BRONDESBURY (292-4) beat SOUTHGATE (291-5) BY SIX WICKETS

BRONDESBURY finally got their cam-paign up and running with Ben Claypole excelling to guide his side to their first win of the season.

First team captain Tom Simpson won the toss and decided to bowl, a decision that was quickly vindicated as Rob Lynch caught Southgate opener Jamie Jouing for just eight.

However opener Alvin Durgacharan made 64 and, although Claypole took 3-60, Adam Fleming came in to make a staggering 162 not out as Southgate declared on what looked a daunting total of 291-5 from 60 overs.

That left Brondesbury with a mountain to climb, but Richard Rawlings started the comeback with 48 before he was caught by Rob Johnson, and Simpson added 19 before he was dismissed by Adam Fleming (3-43).

It was at that point that Claypole took charge of the innings and he fired his way to 95 as Brondesbury fought their way back into the match.

Ed Crowther came in to offer reinforcements at number four and he hit a vital 64 before being caught by Fleming.

The match was on a knife-edge as Rob Lynch came in to bat but he carried on where his team-mates had left off with a stunning display at number five, racking up 40 not out with Nick Jones joining him to see Brondesbury to a magnificent 292-4 from 57.3 overs.

"The boys were pretty chuffed with that," said club captain Mark Lowrey. "Both sides batted really well but, with all due respect to Southgate, I think our lads were pretty confident of chasing down such a huge target.

"That's still our biggest ever run-chase in the league, though, and to make it with three overs to spare really was a fantasitc achievement."

Brondesbury are now sixth in the Premier Division table and host Teddington on Saturday.