Catch up with all the latest from the Shepherd Neame Kent Cricket League from the weekend.
SHEPHERD NEAME KENT CRICKET LEAGUE
PREMIER LEAGUE
WEEK 13 – 30 July 2016
Beckenham 245-8 lost to Tenterden 246-6 by 4 wickets
Blackheath 194-10 lost to Hartley 195-3 by 7 wickets
Lordswood 303-6 beat Dartford 303-4 by 4 wickets
Sevenoaks Vine 231-5 beat Bexley 123-10 by 108 runs
Tunbridge Wells 212-10 lost to Bromley 230-8 by 18 runs
Hartley all but ended second placed Blackheath’s hopes of catching them as they extended their lead at the top to 47 points at the Rectory Field on Saturday. Visitors Hartley invited their hosts to bat but after a bright start by George Wells 46, the remainder of the Blackheath batting somewhat struggled against the steady Hartley attack. James Benfield took 3-25 and James Thompson 3-38 as Blackheath were bowled out for a disappointing 194 in just the 37th over. A solid 75 by the consistent James Hockley and 40 by Dan Stickels took them much of the way there and Richard Selvey-Clinton added an unbeaten 36 at the end and along with 21 not out from James Thomson saw Hartley romp home in the 37th over with seven wickets in hand.
The woes continue for Dartford at the other end of the table for despite the highest Premier innings of the season by Callum Jackson of 156 and an excellent total of 303-4 at Martin Grove, Lordswood, the visitors were unable to defend their total. Linden Lockhart replied with a run a ball unbeaten 101 and assisted by 48 by Shaun Piesley, James Anyon 43 and Amjad Khan 42, Lordswood got home for the loss of six wickets with two overs and a ball to spare. This result leave Dartford 55 points from safely and it hard to see them closing this gap with only five games remaining.
Tenterden pulled off a fine run chase as they defeated Beckenham by 4 wickets at Foxgrove Road. Beckenham elected to bat and their innings was solid. Ollie Robinson scored a useful 58 and despite thirties from Chris Isles, Alex Senn and Jos Siddall none progressed leaving Beckenham with a possibly defendable total of 245-8 at the half way stage. Adam Ball shepherded much of the chase superbly with an unbeaten 88. At the halfway stage Tenterden required 153 at just over six an over Tyler Griffin played a fine knock of 69 but the rate increased to almost nine an over with 45 required off the last five with perhaps the momentum with Beckenham but Ball and his middle order seized it back again and runs began to flow freely, to win with four balls remaining in a highly exciting chase and entertaining game.
Bexley suffered a heavy defat as they travelled to Sevenoaks Vine. The home side won the toss and elected to bat and with 55 from Michael Barber, 52 not out by Anthony Shales and 40 Ollie Durell posted a par total of 231-5 after their 50 overs. It was to prove well over par as the Bexley batting fell apart against the Vine attack. No bowler took more than two wickets as Bexley slumped to 123 all out only Adam Riley with 55 not out showing much resistance.
Despite an 18 run victory at the Nevill against Tunbridge Wells, with eight placed Lordswood also victorious, the gap to safety remains at 23 points but perhaps keeps their hopes alive of avoiding relegation from the Premier League for the very first time. Electing to bat, Matt Smit scored his maiden Premier century scoring 104 and was the mainstay of the Bromley innings with most other batsmen chipping in as they managed 230-8 from their allocation. In reply Tunbridge Wells found runs hard to come by against Yasir Arafat 2-23 from ten. Alexander Williams reached 55 and Marcus O’Riordan 35 but the others struggled against James Butterfill 3-30 and Nathan Hill 3-45 and were bowled out for 212 in the 50th over.