Oliver French took five wickets in his first bowling performance for Royal Sovereign as they beat Daman to secure their first win of the season in the North East London Cricket League.

Daman batted first at the North Marsh and Imran Mussagi (72) and Miyadad Issufmia (19) laid good foundations with a strong opening partnership – yet when Imran was caught and bowled by Lucius Fulgence (2-42), the lower order put up less resistance.

Enayat Faquir counter-attacked with a knock of 19 but French (5-20) cleaned up the tail as Daman were bowled out for 165.

The Sovereign response got off to a blistering start thanks to Evans Willie, who smashed a quickfire 69 before falling in the deep to Sajid Khot (1-16).

With the total on 94, fellow opener Luke Browne holed out to long off against Salim Ismail (1-25) for 22, so it was left to Ken Willock to guide Sovereign home with a calm unbeaten 33 with 15 overs to spare.

Meanwhile, Bloody Lads sealed an emphatic 131-run victory against Bloomsbury Royals at Springfield Park.

Electing to bat, the Lads began strongly, with Alex Gibson and Ivo Hobson putting on 95 for the first wicket.

Gibson was caught behind for 46 but contributions continued down the order and Aajay Cunningham top-scored with 54 as a formidable total of 239-5 was posted from the allotted overs.

The Lads were similarly ruthless in the field and with the ball as the Royals were bowled out for 108 off 32 overs, despite resistance from skipper Ben Hayward (35).

Stan Grant (2-12) bowled an impeccable eight overs while Ben Parker and Ivo Hobson also picked up two wickets each, and Patrick McGuinness took three catches along with a wicket of his own.

Elsewhere, at London Fields, Tower Hamlets picked up their fourth win of the season, beating The Camel by six wickets.

The Camel were put in to bat and a fine display from Sufian Ahmed (3-12) restricted the visitors to 186 all out, despite a heroic effort by Matt Hoslin (88).

Tower Hamlets’ opening partnership of Akshan Ali (29) and Ruhit Ahmed (69) made light work of the chase and Sufian Ahmed (35 not out) secured the victory with 13 overs to spare.

GB Strikers faced Clapton & Oval in the race to keep pressure on leaders London Fields, and it was the Strikers who prevailed.

Ray Damaze (71) helped Clapton & Oval to reach 196-4, but Ammar Malji smashed 46 off 22 balls at the start of the reply and Majid Patel (40) and Khalil Mulla (37) saw the Strikers home.