Catch up with all the latest from the Shepherd Neame Kent Cricket League from the weekend.
SHEPHERD NEAME KENT CRICKET LEAGUE PREMIER LEAGUE
WEEK 14 – 5 August 2017
Holmesdale 101-10 lost to Bexley 79-1 by 9 wickets DLS
Lordswood v Blackheath 28-2 Match abandoned
Sandwich Town 209-2 v Hartley Match abandoned
Sevenoaks Vine 83-10 lost to Beckenham 60-1 by 9 wickets DLS
Tunbridge Wells 260-6 beat Tenterden 154-9 by 52 runs DLS
The weather sadly intervened again for the third successive week but fortunately for leaders Bexley and second placed Beckenham, despite heavy showers in Sevenoaks, where they were both playing, the rain stopped early enough for both to pick up maximin points. Less fortunate were third placed Sandwich where were rained off in a strong position. They fall to 20 off the lead.
Bexley and Beckenham both totally outplayed their opponents yesterday. At Montreal Park, Jason Benn had no hesitation in inviting Holmesdale to bat first. Bexley were soon on top and remained so throughout. The Bexley bowling and fielding were tight and Holmesdale struggled to get the ball away. They were in some trouble at 23-3 and there then followed the only partnership of any note of 44 between Luke Blackaby, 18 and Ed Bonner, 23, when skipper Benn broke through and then proceeded to bowl the best spell of the season takin a magnificent 6-22, bowling fast and straight, as demonstrated by five bowled, as Holmesdale collapsed to 101 all out. Due to a short rain break in the first innings, the Bexley target was set by Duckworth, Lewis, Stern at 95 from 46 at tea. A further break reduced this to 79 from 30. Callum Basey 45 not out and Christopher Laas, 25 made this look very comfortably strolling home in the 14th over with just Laas back in the pavilion. Sadly for Holmesdale, this loss almost seals their return to Division 1 next year.
It was similar tale down the road at the Vine, where invited to bat the home side were ripped apart by Will MacVicar and Tabish Khan who bowled fast and straight (four of the seven bowled) to leave the Vine reeling at 58-7, Mack Vicar taking 4-25 and Khan 3-22. Only Olly Howick 22 and John Bowden 12 reached double figures. The change bowlers finished off the job and the Vine were bowled out for 83. Rain, as in the other match in town, brought out DLS and the Beckenham target became 59 from 26. It took just 7.4 of these for Beckenham to knock off the runs, one down, with Alex Blake scoring an unbeaten 41. This, and the win for Tunbridge Wells toady, leaves the Vine with plenty to do to avoid both the two Sevenoaks sides going down.
The realistically remaining title chasers Sandwich were stranded on a decent 209-2 off 34.4 overs against Hartley, Kai Appleby on 84 and Alex Smith 46 when the rain came and prevented any further play.
As mentioned previously, Tunbridge Wells picked up a much needed win as they beat Tenterden by 52 runs (DLS). This opens their lead over Sevenoaks Vine to 25 points, but with 72 points still to play for, this battle for survival is surely not over? Invited to bat by their visitors Tenterden, four of the TW batsmen reached decent scores, Nicholas Sale 60, Marcus O’Riordan 55 no, Chris Williams 52 and Christian Davies 49 as they built to very steady total of 260-6 in a slightly shortened 48 overs. Rain and thus DLS set Tenterden 206 from 32 to chase at 6.44 an over. Not an easy task. Tenterden had a go but lost wickets in so doing. Alex Williams picked up 3-24 as wicket fell regularly and Tenterden ended on 154-9 and 52 runs short.
The final game at Lordswood was almost a complete wash out Blackheath scoring just 28-2 when the heavens opened.
Two key title fixtures take place in the next three weeks with Beckenham entertaining Sandwich this coming weekend and travelling to Bexley on the 26th. It looks quite possible though the Premier title may not be decided till the final day of the season.