After only one match took place in week one of the Kent Cricket League Premier Division, there was much more excitement seven days later.

Reigning league champions Hayes started their campaign with defeat at Lordswood having won the toss and fielded first. It took Will MacVicar just two balls to claim his first wicket of the season in an impressive opening spell.

Joe Gordon anchored the recovery, aided by Jack Laraman (36) and South African Thando Ntini (36). MacVicar, who finished with 6 for 29, returned to remove Gordon for 92 as the hosts were bowled out for 190.

Gareth Severin led the response scoring 39 of the first 51 runs on the board but once Alex Blake was dismissed for 30, the visitors struggled and were bowled out for 145.

Hugh Scott had too much for the middle to lower order, taking 4 for 17 in his nine overs.

National club champions Bexley visited Sevenoaks Vine and opted to field in a thirty-five over match after a delayed start. Evert Bekker scored 30 but all of the Bexley bowlers took wickets and the hosts were dismissed for 95. Adam Ball returned the best figures with 3 for 11.

It wasn’t easy for Bexley when it was their turn to bat but their overseas player, Australian Hugo Burdon, kept his head to score 50 not out with no other team-mate scoring more than 11. They eventually won by five wickets with just under ten overs to spare despite the best efforts of Andrew Reid-Dick who returned figures of 3 for 27.

Starting the day as league leaders, Sandwich Town went to the Isle of Sheppey to play at Minster and chose to field. Australian James Bazeley was in lively form reducing the hosts to 17 for 3 as he claimed 3 for 9 off his opening six overs and finished with 4 for 13 from eight overs including five wides.

Joe Parry top scored with 33 not out and Luke Evans added 31 as Minster finished on 130 for 7 from their forty overs.

That proved to be more than enough as the visitors were bowled out for 107. Rory Smith tried to hold the innings together but his 28 not out was in vain as he watched one after another partner fall at the other end.

Former Kent player James Hockley claimed 5 for 17 off his eight overs.

There was a thriller when newly promoted St. Lawrence and Highland Court hosted Blackheath and were put in. Arafat Bhuiyan pegged them back early and finished with 4 for 26 from two his spells.

However, former Kent stalwart Darren Stevens joined Michael Hales (41) and, after a circumspect start, he put the Heath bowlers to the sword. Their fourth wicket partnership amassed 149. Stevens went on to score 101 including seven sixes and seven fours, and his team finished on 232 all out. Jas Bassan claimed 3 for 55.

In response, several Blackheath batters got themselves in, but didn’t carry on. Charlie-Sid Speller (38), Tanweer Sikandar (33), and Matthew Golding (31) all threatened but the cause looked lost at 211 for 9.

However, it took a run out off the final ball for the hosts to win by two runs. Joe Payne claimed 3 for 56.

Also back in the Premier Division, Holmesdale entertained Tunbridge Wells and found the Williams’s barring their way after they followed the trend of winning the toss and fielding.

Opening bat Chris scored 32 before Alex took centre stage, going on to score 103. He received support from Calvin Johnson, 32 not out as Wells finished on 223 for 7.

Wickets fell quickly in Holmesdale’s reply and they were all but beaten at 63 for 7. Dom May (41), and Ben Fawcett (30 not out) put up some resistance but with Liam McGroarty taking 6 for 33, they never really threatened and were bowled out for 156.

Picture supplied by Keith Gillard.