Stanmore 211 Brondesbury 159

Evening Standard Trophy

Peter Edwards enjoyed a reputation for several years as one of the outstanding all-rounders on the club cricket circuit.

Though a veteran, wily Edwards showed that he's still a match-winner with a superb stint of seam bowling that inspired Stanmore's shock victory over holders Brondesbury at The Common on Sunday.

After Alastair Fraser's men avenged last season's six-wicket defeat by Brondesbury in the final at The Fosters Oval, they meet unbeaten league leaders Finchley at East End Road on Sunday (1pm) for a place in the semi-final.

A jubilant Fraser, who led by example with a fighting innings of 53, said: 'You've got to beat the good sides to get to The Oval. We played very well today, and we could cause another upset against Finchley.'

After Stanmore set the holders a target of 212 , Ian Osborne (38) and Paul Goodison (31) took Brondesbury to 74-1. Then Edwards accounted for both, triggering a collapse as four wickets tumbled for five runs, with spinner Mukesh Bhatt (2-30) dismissing Tommy Simpson and Ian Kidd for ducks.

Ricky Fay and Mark Lowrey(33) looked set to revive Brondesbury's fortunes, until Edwards (3-34) struck again, trapping Fay (12) lbw, 103-6.

Skipper Rob Nelson and Lowrey added 28, but both fell to Nick Goh (3-23) and the end came when John Munro was run out.

Earlier, Stanmore were a struggling at 36-3. Fraser (53) and Richard Brooker (22) doubled the score before Brooker fell to a catch by Goodison off Lowrey (3-52), who bowled well.

Fraser and Jamie Hollebone (39) shared a splendid fifth-wicket stand of 77, and Mark Dyson (18) and Goh (28) took Stanmore past 200, a target that proved too much for the holders.

This excellent win will give lowly Stanmore a great boost in their fight to avoid relegation from the Grolsch Middlesex County League Division One, which resumes with Brondesbury's quick return to The Common on Saturday (1.30pm).