Defeat for Tunbridge Wells in their quest for the Kent League Premier Division championship left the door slightly ajar.
They visited last years champions, but now relegation threatened Blackheath, and elected to field. Having found themselves at 58 for 4, the hosts’ George Wells scored 89 and Matthew Golding 83 to help them reach 242 for 8 in spite of Matt Barker’s 4 for 59.
Wickets fell regularly in the response with only Alex Williams resisting with 34. Angus McKenzie took 3 for 22, Arafat Bhuiyan 3 for 27, and Jahid Ahmed 3 for 31 as the leaders were bundled out for 132.
Second placed Hayes entertained Sandwich Town and opted to bat first. All of the top order made a contribution with Finnan Bryan top scoring with 52. Liam Buttery scored 43 before their innings closed on 261 for 7.
Although Lawrence Hills scored a season’s best 83, and Alex Smith scored 36, they fell behind the required scoring rate and finished on 197 for 8. Former Kent all rounder Alex Blake claimed 3 for 28, and Scott Gallagher 3 for 44.
In a battle of the clubs who were promoted at the end of last season, third placed Bromley travelled to bottom of the table Holmesdale and batted first after winning the toss. South African Ryan Cartwright scored 115 after Stan Greenleaf had led the way with 53 before they were bowled out for 272. Nathan Khelawon returned 5 for 47 and Dom May 3 for 51.
Despite Jamie Baird scoring 105 not out at greater than a run a ball, once Will McDowell, 31, and Anthony Bissett, 34, were dismissed, he couldn’t find a partner to stay with him and the hosts were bowled out for 203. Aditya Kumar ended with the remarkable figures of 4 for 4 from just fourteen deliveries.
Starting the day in fourth place Bexley hosted Minster and were put in to bat. Calum Basey went
on the attack immediately with a quick-fire 36. Shaun Evans anchored the innings with 81, Ben Aldred added 43 and George Haley 36 as they closed on 246 all out. James Speer took 3 for 35.
Then, Bexley’s spinners went about their business with Oliver Smith taking 4 for 35 and Louie James 3 for 40. Kai Appleby scored 82 from 70 deliveries but couldn’t do it on his own as his team were bowled out for 177.
Finally, Lordswood were at home to St. Lawrence & Highland Court and the visitors chose to chase in a low scoring encounter. Bradley Goldsack scored 53 out of a total of 117. Josh Julian took 3 for 8 and Thomas Copestake 3 for 15.
Batting was no easier after the tea interval and the visitors were bowled out for just 61. Will Straker returned 4 for 24 and Hugh Scott 3 for 9.
Going into the last three weeks, Tunbridge Wells hold a sixteen point lead over Hayes in what looks likely to be a two horse race. At the bottom, Holmesdale will need a miracle to escape however, Blackheath are now within eleven points of Minster, with just six points separating them and the three teams immediately above them.
Images courtesy of Keith Gillard