Three clubs were unbeaten coming into week three of the Kent League Premier Division cricket season, however, that was reduced to just Hayes by the end of the Saturday fixtures.
All five home teams batted first with only Sandwich Town choosing to do so on a day where weather threatened to play a part.
Two of the previously unbeaten teams met when Hayes hosted Tunbridge Wells. Miguel Barbosa (86) and William MacVicar (52) put on 127 for the home team to lay the foundation. Rory Low then scored a quick 37 before their innings closed on 245 for 7.
Although Chris Williams scored 93 from 90 balls, wickets fell regularly at the other end with former Kent bowler Alex Blake claiming 4 for 28. Freddie Freeman hammered a quick 30 but MacVicar returned to take out the lower order. He finished with 4 for 47 as the visitors were bowled out for 206.
Lordswood were the other unbeaten team and found themselves at 2 for 2 against Bromley. Ryan Cartwright took both wickets on his way to 6 for 42, bowled over two spells. Only opener Linden Lockhart with 51 put up resistance before his team was bowled out for an under par 151. Krishen Daniel also impressed with the ball, returning 3 for 19 from his ten overs.
After finding themselves at 26 for 3, Cartwright settled Bromley’s nerves when scoring 30 before Ollie Streets cracked 64 not out to lead his team to a comfortable five wicket victory/
Starting the day in fourth place, Bexley were also at home when facing St Lawrence and Highland Court and enjoyed a big win. They lost an early wicket before Ken McClure joined Calum Basey who scored 46 before their partnership ended. George Haley then hit 35 after which McClure opened up to score 101 as his team closed on 236 for 7. John Grewar took 3 for 26 from his ten overs.
While Harry Dowling was keeping it tight at one end, Fraser McWhinnie removed the top order at the other end with 3 for 27. The visitors never recovered and were bowled out for 123 with Ellis Daly taking 3 for 23.
Sixth placed Minster travelled to Sandwich who, after losing two early wickets, scored 225 for 8. Alex Smith top scored with 51 while Shahmeer Malik (36), Rory Smith (36), and Roshan Jayatissa (35), all contributed important runs. Bill Prideaux was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 28.
Four players in the visiting team scored thirty plus, but didn’t go on to score the runs that they needed for the win. Jason Van Dyk cracked 33 in an opening stand of 49, Kai Appleby scored 34, Parth Mehta 35, and Haider Zaider 38. However, Rory Smith (3 for 32) returned the best figures as the Sheppey side were bowled out for 188.
Finally, two teams looking for their first win of the season met when last season’s champions Blackheath welcomed Holmesdale to the Rectory Field for a one sided win. Matt Golding top scored with 80 not out. Angus McKenzie walloped 57 from 35 balls, Charlie-Sid Speller 46, Tejpal Birdi 43, and George Wells 37, in an imposing total of 316 for 5.
Nobody from the Holmesdale batting line up reached thirty as they were bowled out for 135. Jahid Ahmed returned the best bowling figures with 3 for 8.
Images courtesy of Keith Gillard