Twickenham’s Dan Housego reckons his team-mates can afford no more slip-ups if they are to fulfil their ambitions this season.

The former first class top order batsman, below, returned to the Middlesex County League Division One side in the summer as the new director of cricket, and he has helped them to four wins out of seven so far this season.

Last weekend, Twickenham saw off the challenge of Indian Gymkhana winning by 55 runs to stay fifth in the table – 20 points behind leaders Ealing, but only two points behind neighbours Richmond in second.

While the 26-year-old is confident the team has what it takes to mount a serious challenge for the title in the second half of the season, he also knows what needs to be done to save the dream going up in smoke.

“The win over Indian Gymkhana was pretty comfortable, although there was a moment when the rain came in during their chase and with two wickets still standing that it could have gone wrong,” said Housego.

“But we had made 182 on a pitch that was turning – at one point we were 92-5 and I’d have taken 150 at that point, but Carlos [Nunes] batted superbly for his 67 and took us to another level.

“When the rain eventually stopped, we skittled them within 10 or 12 balls.”

He added: “We have an excellent side that can challenge for the title, we just need to find that consistency.

“We’ve already lost three games this season and that is about it, we cannot afford to lose any more.

“Having finished second last season, it was our aim this time round to win the title – and I feel that is possible, especially as we’re in the longer format of the game.

“We have excellent bowlers in Parminder [Singh] and Rashid [Mullahzadah], and allowing them longer spells with the ball is perfect for us.”

In his first season with Twickenham in 2010 as a Middlesex pro, Housego averaged 52.73 before joining Gloucestershire.

The right-handed top order batsman made 39 first class appearances at Gloucestershire and Middlesex with an average of 31.93.

And while he has not completely turned his back on the county scene, Housego has other irons in the fire – and he is hoping for some Ashes-inspired help from the likes of England men Steve Finn and Sam Robson.

He said: “I want to move into first class coaching, and with that in mind I’m running cricket training sessions for children on the Twickenham Green over the school holidays.

“Hopefully, England will be doing well in the Ashes Tests, because when kids see their idols winning, they want the same – they all want to be Joe Root or Ben Stokes.”

The sessions run from August 3 to August 21, and Robson is already pencilled in to run a batting masterclass.

For more information on the sessions go to danhousegocricketcoaching.com, or email danhousego@hotmail.com.

* Richmond’s Ryan Higgins hit 63 off 70 balls, but he could not prevent a surprise defeat at home to Stanmore or close the gap on Ealing, the leaders of the Middlesex County League Division One.

After electing to bat, Higgins’ knock supplemented an average batting display to set the visitors 185 to win – which they duly did with only five wickets down.

The defeat saw Richmond fail to take advantage of Ealing’s winning draw at Teddington.

Despite holding table-toppers Ealing, Teddington remain bottom of the standings seven points from safety.

James Keightley (92) and Tom Twiney (83) put on 150 for the first wicket against Ealing, from which Teddington hit 296-7 off 66 overs.

Teddington’s bowlers frustrated the Ealing response, restricting them to 229-7 – Charles Hopkins’ 4-70 were the stand-out figures.

 Meanwhile, Barnes sit third in Division Three after a three-wicket win at Middlesex Tamils.

SELECTED FIXTURES: North Middlesex v Richmond, Twickenham v Teddington, Harrow v Barnes.