Although Tunbridge Wells had already been crowned as champions of the Kent League Premier Division, there was still an issue to be decided at the other end of the table.
Starting the day second from bottom, last season’s champions Blackheath knew that they had to win and hope that at least one result elsewhere went in their favour. They hosted Hayes who still needed five points to guarantee finishing as runners-up, and were asked to bat first. Although they struggled, Matthew Golding’s 48 not out guided them to 169 for 9 from their fifty overs. The wickets were shared amongst the seven bowlers used.
Aaron Burrage led the way for the visitors, and at 50 for 1 from twelve overs, they appeared to be cruising. Jas Bassan with 4 for 20, and Jahid Ahmed, taking 3 for 23 then went about their work and when the latter removed Burrage for 50, the tide had turned and Hayes were bowled out for 125. The Heath had done their part and had to hope that another result went their way.
Only three points separated Minster and Blackheath so the visitors knew that they needed to win at already relegated Holmesdale to guarantee safety. They were also asked to set a target and were struggling at 40 for 3. Yashraj Joshi then scored 93 and Kai Appleby 45 enable them to finish on 226 for 9 with Callum Gallagher returning 4 for 36.
That proved to be nowhere near enough as Jamie Baird scored 49, Will McDowell 45, Will Harby 41, and Leo Carter 31allowing the basement team to win their last match by three wickets with nearly twelve overs to spare. Bill Prideaux took 3 for 62 as the team from Sheppey claimed seven bonus points.
There was a further three points between Sandwich Town and Minster at the start of the day. They visited mid-table Lordswood and also took first knock after losing the toss. Will Straker took 4 for 20 and Joe Gordon 3 for 15 as the hosts showed no mercy when bowling out their opposition for 133.
It took under twenty overs for the Lords to knock off the total despite Roshan Jayatissa taking 4 for 57. Captain Calum MacLeod smashed 57 off 34 balls as they eased home by five wickets. Claiming only three bonus points meant that it was Sandwich Town who were relegated by one solitary point.
Although not one hundred percent safe before the final round of games, St Lawrence and Highland Court only needed four bonus points to ensure that they would remain in the Premier Division next season. They welcomed champions Tunbridge Wells and chose to field first. Chris Williams, 69, Michael Waller, 50, and Alex Williams with 41, were the main contributors as the title winners were bowled out for 216. Shermon Lewis was pick of the bowlers with 4 for 30.
Oliver Curtiss, fresh from his Kent full team debut, hammered 102 and Lewis backed up his bowling feats by scoring 38 as the home team won by six wickets with over eleven overs remaining despite Danru Ferns claiming 3 for 59.
Finally, Bexley entertained Bromley in a local derby with third place in the table at stake. The hosts elected to bat, and after finding themselves at 5 for 2, added 157 for the third wicket before Matt Stiddard was bowled by Marcus Lilley for 64. Lilley also removed opener Aiden Griggs for 88 on his way to 3 for 38. Harry Turner then added an invaluable 30 to take them to 210 all out.
Although Oliver Butterfill scored 33, the visitors were spun out for 148 with Oliver Smith returning 4 for 33, and Aiden Griggs 3 for 15.
Picture supplied by Tunbridge Wells CC.