Week fourteen was huge for Tunbridge Wells in their quest for the Kent League Premier Division championship.
They recorded another victory while their nearest rivals, Hayes, slipped up and stumbled to defeat.
Although they lost the toss at Lordswood, and had to field first, Tunbridge Well took early wickets until they were held up by Calum MacLeod and Ed Taylor. However, when the latter was dismissed for 42 by Max Luksich, it opened up an end and the bowler claimed three more quick wickets finishing with 4 for 32. MacLeod was left stranded on 84 not out as the hosts were bowled out for 173.
Chris Williams scored 32 in the response, and opening partner Viraj Bhatia scored 45 before Drew Beazleigh’s 50 not out steered the league leaders home by seven wickets with over thirteen overs to spare.
It appeared that Hayes were going to win at Bromley when they bowled them out for 176, despite the hosts electing to bat first. Ryan Cartwright top scored with 33 but Finnan Bryan’s 4 for 15 and Will MacVicar’s 3 for 38 kept the score down.
MacVicar then scored 52 and at 137 for 4, then 157 for 6, they appeared to be cruising. However, the lower order crumbled and they were bowled out for 169, seven runs short, despite having more than four overs unused. Aditya Kumar finished up with 3 for 21.
Fourth placed Sandwich Town hosted Bexley with both teams missing key players. The visitors opted to bat first. Matt Stiddard was the mainstay of the innings with 95 not out from 96 balls as their innings closed on 217 for 7.
Only former Kent and Somerset wicketkeeper Ryan Davies threatened the target with a patient 38 but Fraser McWhinnie (4 for 25) and Louie James (3 for 37) bowled the visitors to victory by 78 runs to leapfrog their hosts into fourth in the table.
Last season’s champions, Blackheath, visited Minster needing a win in their fight to avoid relegation. They chose to bat first and an opening partnership of 72 looked to be laying the foundation for a big score. However, when Jahid Ahmed fell for 44, they collapsed and were bowled out for 149. Haider Zaidi returned the best figures with 4 for 22.
James Speer hit a quick-fire 78 before Akhil Venugopalan eased his team to a seven wicket victory with 24 overs unused.
In the final match, Darren Stevens rolled back the years when St. Lawrence and Highland Court won the toss and batted at home to Holmesdale. He smashed the bowling all around the ground scoring 167 from 127 deliveries including seven sixes and nineteen fours. He was supported by Matt Hammond 62, and Kent’s latest rookie signing, Oliver Curtiss, scored 56 from 55 balls as the innings closed on 365 for 5.
Leo Carter scored 73, Anthony Bissett 61, Jamie Baird 54, and Max Lindsay 33 as the team at the foot of the table made a good fist of their response. However, the ask was too great and they were bowled out for 297 with Josh Julian claiming 4 for 54.
Images courtesy of Keith Gillard