Victory for Tunbridge Wells, whilst their nearest challengers faltered, put them on the cusp of securing the Kent League Premier Division championship.
They hosted third placed Bromley and showed their mettle by winning a thriller. As was the case with every team in the division that won the toss in week sixteen, they elected to bat first. Although others got off to good starts, only Michael Waller reached thirty as they were dismissed for 179. Oliver Butterfill returned the best figures of 3 for 11.
Fred Wilson threatened to win it for the visitors with 83, especially when supported by Ollie Streets who scored 30, however, the league leaders held their nerve and Bromley finished three runs shy on 176 for 9. Danru Ferns continued his excellent season when taking 4 for 31.
Meanwhile, Hayes visited Lordswood and stumbled to defeat. Linden Lockhart scored 84 out of his teams 155 with only one team mate scoring double figures. Five bowlers each took two wickets.
It was no easier to bat when members of the away team took strike. Although Finnan Bryan scored 49, nobody else reached twenty and they were hustled out for 128. Opening bowler Will Straker took 3 for 18 from eight overs.
Fourth placed Bexley defeated relegation threatened Blackheath at home, and jumped up one place and to within one point of Hayes. Captain Matt Stiddard scored 47 and Harry Turner 30. However, Tejpal Birdi’s 4 for 34 and Angus McKenzie’s 3 for 26 kept them in check as they were bowled out 189.
That proved to be plenty as their bowlers then went to town, and no visiting player reached twenty. Last season’s champion were tumbled out for just 116 with Ellis Daly taking 3 for 13.
Sandwich Town, looking to stay in the top half, travelled to bottom club Holmesdale and spent the first half of the afternoon chasing leather. Two centurions, Will McDowell,121, and Leo Harby, 119, received further support from Sebastian Gait’s 35. Amid the chaos, William Thurgate took 5 for 40 as the innings closed on 323.
Sidney Thomas scored 50, Zack Fagg 39, Roshan Jayatissa 38, and Shahmeer Malik 34, however, Fred Smith took 4 for 29, Ollie Chaplin 3 for 41, and Dom May 3 for 42 to bowl the visitors out for 225.
Finally, St Lawrence & Highland Court entertained Minster in a last ball decider. The hosts started just two points ahead, in the knowledge that should Blackheath win, the defeated team could drop into the bottom two. The visitors batted first and Aron Nijjar scored 45, Jason Van Dyk 44, James Speer 41 and Kai Appleby 33. Thomas Copestake nagged away with 5 for 32 as the innings closed on 257 for 8.
In the reply Fred Sharp scored 73 and Josh Julian, 43 in an opening stand of 88. Matt Hammond added 35 but at 229 for 9, they looked beaten. The last two, Alex Rydon and Copestake, brought the scores level with one ball remaining, and a bye off the final delivery saw them through to a stunning victory.
Images courtesy of Keith Gillard