CRICKET: Ealing bounced back into form on Saturday with a morale-boosting victory over Division One Champions Teddington.

The Corfton Road side have stumbled since they were docked ten points for fielding an illegible player, but captain Arif Rashid reckons their latest conquest can put them right back in the race for the championship.

He said: "It was a very good team performance. If we can keep playing like this then we can still be in the shake-up."

"We've been playing very consistently and it paid off this week when everybody seemed to gel."

Teddington were put into bat and went to lunch on 74-6 after an impressive opening spell from former Middlesex bowler Ian Blanchett (one wicket) and Kamran Hafeez (three wickets).

Fresh from his Middlesex debut against Zimbabwe last week, Chris Peploe also picked up a hat-trick of wickets as Teddington were bowled out for 141.

Despite losing Rashid early on, Ealing eased to their target in 33 overs. Opener Luke Stoughton continued his good form with an unbeaten 60 and his partnership with Ian Boyton (50) for the second wicket made the victory comfortable. Ealing earned ten points and moved up to fifth in the table.

Rashid's side were due to play Richmond in the National knock-out competition on Sunday but the game was rained off and re-scheduled for Sunday week.

On Saturday, Ealing are back in league action when they play host to bottom-placed Southgate. On Sunday they travel to Hornchurch in the Evening Standard Trophy.