Victory for Tunbridge Wells in the penultimate week of the season, ensured them being crowned as champions of the Kent League Premier Division.
They hosted bottom club Holmesdale and won a one sided game after asking their opponents to bat first. Although Leo Carter scored 36, the bowling unit was always in command and Aristedes Karvelas claimed 3 for 28 as the visitors were bowled out for 142.
Chris Williams walloped 41 off 22 deliveries and Viraj Bhatia 47 from 36 balls to set up a speedy seven wicket win off 15 overs. Whilst that confirmed the title, it also ensured relegation for Holmesdale.
That left a battle for the runners up spot and that was all but decided when Hayes, in second place, entertained third placed Bexley with just one point separating them at the start of the day. The visitors chose to bat first but never recovered from slumping to 33 for 5. Although Ben Aldred scored 50 to give the score some respectability, they were dismissed for 125. Finlay Baker ended with 4 for 8 to back up Will MacVicar’s 3 for 24.
Although the response was not straightforward, with Jamie Batten claiming 3 for 28, Tom Gallagher scored 38 to help his team ease their way to victory by three wickets with just under nineteen overs remaining.
Newly promoted Bromley have had an excellent first season up and they were at home to in-form St Lawrence & Highland Court. They asked their guests to bat first and dismissed them for 180. Darren Stevens top scored with 47, and Kent’s Jack Leaning added 30. Marcus Lilley was in the wickets with 3 for 24.
In response, Stan Greenleaf scored 36 before being dismissed by Leaning on his way to 3 for 33. He also dismissed Ollie Streets for 34 however, the hosts eased their way home by two wickets with eight balls remaining despite Sherman Lewis taking 4 for 41.
Last season’s champions, Blackheath, travelled to Sandwich Town and claimed the victory needed to keep alive their chances of avoiding relegation. After choosing to bat first, they took advantage of the hosts being without the Chapman brothers and Rory Smith all on FA Cup duty with Deal Town. George Wells scored 50, Tejpal Birdi 35, and Angus McKenzie 32 in their 199 for 8.
At 17 for 3, Sandwich were soon in strife and Jas Bassan, 4 for 20, then went about his business to help dismiss the home team for 120.
Finally, Minster’s risk of dropping increased when they welcomed Lordswood to the Isle of Sheppey. The visitors were put in and Calum MacLeod (49), Bradley Goldsack (41), Owen Palmer (39), and Max Wood (35) all enjoyed time in the middle as they finished on 216 for 7.
Although Yashraj Joshi scored 55 in the response, MacLeod followed up on his batting exploits by returning 4 for 26 and, having removed both openers, Will Straker took 3 for 37 as the hosts were bowled out for 175.
Holmesdale and one other team will be replaced next season by Championship winners Sevenoaks Vine and Runners-Up Whitstable.
Image courtesy of Keith Gillard