Going into the second half of the Kent League Premier Division cricket season, Tunbridge Wells strengthened their grip at the top of the table with a convincing victory, while all the other teams in the top half of the table lost.
They, and the other four teams who won the toss elected to bat first, and all five went on to win their match.
At 73 for 5 they looked in trouble when entertaining Sandwich Town, despite Alex Williams scoring 34. However, captain Michael Waller steadied the ship with 60 not out and he was supported by Aristides Karvelas (40) to take them to 219 for 8. Rohan Jayatissa returned 4 for 32 and Alex Smith 3 for 52.
Then it was the turn of the hosts’ bowlers to do their job, led by Danru Ferns. He claimed 5 for 21 to follow up his 5 for 32 one week earlier, and Karvelas added to his batting feat with 4 for 43 as Sandwich were dismissed for 64.
Nearest challengers, Hayes, visited St Lawrence & Highland Court in the match of the day. The hosts rattled up an imposing 342 for 4. Oliver Curtiss smashed 151 not out from 106 balls including 8 sixes and 15 fours. He was backed up by John Grewar with 51 not out after Matt Hammond had scored 54 and Josh Julian 46.
Despite the ‘scoreboard pressure’, the visitors still entered the final over needing twelve to win. When Liam Buttery hit Grewar’s first ball for a maximum they looked well placed to win it. However, only two runs in the next four balls left them needing four off the final ball and Buttery was run out for 68 going for a second run. They got that close thanks, mainly, to 93 from Finnan Bryan and 69 by Alex Blake. Amongst the carnage, Sherman Lewis returned 3 for 53.
Starting in third place, Minster travelled to Bromley who batted first. Oliver Butterfill scored 67 and Agastya Tripathi 62 as they accumulated 238 for 8.
Butterfill continued his man of the match performance with 3 for 27 as Minster were bowled out for 178 with nobody reaching 30.
Having ended their poor away league run one week earlier, Bexley were again on the road when visiting Holmesdale but were unable to repeat the feat. Leo Carter cracked 105 at just over a run a ball and Anthony Bissett (48), Cameron Lindsay (47), Dom May (44) and Will Harby (44), all contributed to their total of 335 for 7. Fraser McWhinnie was the most successful bowler with 4 for 73.
Aiden Griggs scored 33, Harry Turner 32, Ben Aldred 31, and the other three batters in the top six scored over twenty, but none of them went on to make the big score required as they were bowled out for 227. Ben Fawcitt took 3 for 14.
Finally Lordswood, who had lost three of their of their last four, hosted bottom club Blackheath and it was last season’s champions who prevailed. Karanjot Singh top scored with 45, Matthew Golding 42, and Angus McKenzie 42 not out as the visitors closed on 207 all out. Will Straker took 4 for 34 and Calum MacLeod 3 for 23.
Golding then claimed 4 for 17 as the home team were rolled over for 113 to extend their disappointing run.
Images courtesy of Keith Gillard