Results from week three of the Kent League Premier Division cricket season reduced the number of teams with one hundred percent records from four to two while two sides are still seeking their first win.
As temperatures rose in the UK, all five of the teams who won the toss elected to bat. Last years champions Tunbridge Wells were asked to field at also unbeaten Bexley and Matthew Barker followed up his five wickets a week earlier by taking 4 for 25. Although Ben Aldred (59), Zeph Netherway (52) and George Hayley (50) all hit half centuries, the hosts were bowled out for 230.
Due to the break in the County Championship, Kent’s young opener, Ben Dawkins, is back at the Wells and he struck 109 not out. Support came from the Williams brothers with Alex scoring 58 and Chris 49 as they passed their target with over twenty overs unused to win by eight wickets.
Also on the maximum of fifty-four points are Bromley who hosted St. Lawrence and Highlands Court. Matt Hammond scored 41 and Josh Julian added 36, but the visitors were bowled out for 168 with over ten overs unused. The wickets were shared amongst the six man bowling unit.
Sean Thompson was not out on 36 after Stan Greenleaf scored 36 and Aditya Kumar 31 as they cruised home by seven wickets with thirteen overs remaining.
Defeat at Hayes ended Blackheath’s one hundred percent start. William MacVicar scored 105 not out, Alex Blake 67, Will Harby 59, and Finnan Bryan 49 as they racked up 326 for 4 in their fifty overs.
Although George Wells scored 81 and Charlie-Sid Speller hit 73 to keep the Heath in the hunt, MacVicar was not prepared to let his batting exploits go to waste and he removed the middle order on his way to 4 for 30. Ross Whyte struck a belligerent 39 from 30 balls but it was in vain as they were bowled out by 271.
Two centurions helped Sevenoaks Vine wrack up 300 for 3 against Lordswood. Bradley Hope scored 128 not out and Luke Schlemmer 108.
Once Joe Gordon (70) and Bradley Goldsack (47) were out, any hope that the Lords had of chasing down the total were put to rest. Former Kent bowler George Garrett returned 3 for 30 as they were dismissed for 177.
Finally, Whitstable bowled their way to victory at Minster. At 153 for 9, with only Stuart Drakeley’s 35 putting up much resistance, an unbeaten last wicket partnership of 73 gave them something to defend. Cullan Larkin finished on 40 not out and Will Cook 34 not out. Enamul Haque Jr returned 5 for 22 from his ten overs.
Jaydn Denly then went to work for the visitors and took 5 for 19 from eight overs and Cook claimed 3 for 44. James Speer top scored with 41 and Parth Mehta 35 but Minster were bowled out for 176 to suffer their third straight defeat.
Images Courtesy of Keith Gillard