After week two of the Kent League Premier Division cricket season, three clubs remain unbeaten and three await their first win.

Both Tunbridge Wells and Minster started with wins and they met at Wells’ Nevill ground with the hosts choosing to field first. Noah McLennan was dismissed for 30, before his fellow opener, Jason Van Dyk, went for 57. However, only Kai Appleby, with 35, made a meaningful contribution after that as the visitors were bundled out for 160. Michael Waller was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 34.

That proved to be well short as Viraj Bhatia guided the team hosts reply with 83 not out as they cruised home by six wickets with over fourteen overs unused.

Two other week one victors met when Lordswood entertained Bexley and, having opted to bat first, the hosts openers took full advantage. Their opening stand put on 163 and was ended with the dismissal of Bradley Goldsack for 66. However, Linden Lockhart went on to complete his century from 98 deliveries, his second in two weeks. He fell for exactly 100 after facing a further eleven balls. Joe Gordon (52) and Max Wood (35) continued the good work, taking the Lords to 335 for 6.

Aiden Griggs gave Bexley hope when joined by captain Matt Stiddard. They put on 103 before the latter fell for 50. Griggs was next out for 110 but the visitors kept pushing with George Haley scoring 51, and Jon Rodda 39. The target was just too big, though, and they ended on 322 for 9, thirteen runs short. Gordon took 3 for 45 and Will Straker 3 for 62.

Hayes were the other team with eighteen points and they visited Holmesdale and asked the hosts to bat first. Leo Carter scored 139 and was backed up by 59 from William Harby, 42 by Anthony Bissett, 32 by Will McDowell, and 30 from Nathan Khelawon. Aaron Burrage took 3 for 68 as the home team finished on 342 for 8.

If the visitors’ captain, Alex Blake, was questioning their decision to field first, his team allayed his concerns. Burrage followed up his bowling exploits by opening the batting and scoring 111 in 94 deliveries and his partner Finnan Bryan scored 75. Former Kent first team all-rounder, Blake, smashed 72 not out and Tom Gallagher 32 not out as they hurried to a six wicket win with nearly five overs to spare.

Last season’s Champions, Blackheath, travelled the short distance to newly promoted Bromley and elected to bat first. George Wells top scored with 81, Mason Robinson scored 46, Angus McKenzie 35, and Karanjot Singh 31 not out as they ended on 240 for 6.

Arafat Bhuiyan took a couple of early wickets as Bromley struggled until Ryan Cartwright was joined by Ollie Streets. When they were dismissed for 44 and 59 respectively, they looked to be in trouble however, Oliver Butterfill hit an enterprising 84 not out to lead his team to a two wicket win with two overs to spare in spite of Bhuiyan’s 3 for 51.

Finally, the other two teams looking for a first win met when St Lawrence and Highland Court took on Sandwich Town. The home team decided to bat first and Dan Stickels hit an excellent 128. He was supported by Oliver Curtiss’ 50 as they accumulated 249 for 7, with the wickets shared.

Opener Sidney Thomson scored 70, and Zac Fagg’s quick-fire 75 kept the visitors in touch but Sam Ireland, with 5 for 43, and John Grewar 3 for 42, kept them in check. They were bowled out for 237, twelve runs shy.

Image courtesy of Keith Gillard