Week two of the Kent League Premier Division cricket season left four teams with one hundred percent records and three sides still seeking their first win.

Last years champions Tunbridge Wells hosted Hayes who had finished as runners up and the visitors were asked to bat first. Matthew Barker backed up the decision by removing the first three then returning to take the last two to finish with 5-38 as Hayes were bowled out for 121.

Although they found themselves in a spot of trouble at 22 for 3, Viraj Bhatia steadied the ship for the home team with 52 not out to guide them through, winning by six wickets.

Also victorious last Saturday were Bexley who finished the last campaign in third place. They visited Minster and won comfortably. The hosts were in good shape at 56 for 1 after being invited to set a target. Ben Chapelhow was then dismissed by Kent’s Jas Singh for 34 and the door was opened. Only Edward Moore, with 47, put up resistance as they were bowled out for 167. Louie James took 3 for 18 in his ten overs, and Singh 3 for 30.

Although rain interrupted Bexley’s response, the revised target of 157 from 44 overs was achieved for the loss of just three wickets in 27.3 overs. Aiden Griggs top scored with 59, and fellow opener Varun Anand weighed in with 36. 

Bromley visited Whitstable in a thriller that was rain affected after the visitors had elected to field. Byron Gould top scored for the home team with 44, captain Sam Denly scored 40, Finn Carter added 38, Stuart Drakeley also hit 38, and Kent’s Jaydn Denly 35. They were bowled out for 258 with Aditya Kumar finishing with 4 for 47.

Chasing a revised total of 251 from 46 overs, Ryan Cartwright scored 79 not out, Sean Thompson 78, and Oliver Butterfill 36 not out as they achieved their target with one ball to spare. 

Lordswood, having won the toss, chose to bat first when they hosted Blackheath. They never really got going and their number nine, Adeel Hussein top scored with 33 after Joe Gordon had notched 32. Jahid Ahmed took 3 for 26 and Jas Bassan 3 for 48 as the Lords were dismissed for 173.

Hussein followed up his batting feats with 3 for 30 and Henry Dunlop took 3 for 51. However, Niaz Khan scored 62 at nearly a run a ball after Mason Robinson had struck 43 and Matthew Golding 36, and the visitors eased home by three wickets with just under thirteen overs to spare. 

Finally, two teams who were defeated last week met when St. Lawrence and Highlands Court entertained Sevenoaks Vine. The visitors opted to bat first and Harry Bevan-Thomas scored 92 supported by Barry Hope’s 30. Thomas Copestake returned 3 for 42 as the Vine were dismissed for 240.

In response to a revised target of 238 from 48 overs, Matt Hammond struck 81 at greater than a run a ball after the openers, Fred Sharp (65) and Dan Stickels (35 from 27 balls) got them off to a flying start. They eased home by four wickets with just over five overs to spare. Former Kent bowler, George Garrett, was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 50.

Pictures supplied by Keith Gillard.