All three unbeaten Kent Cricket League clubs, Bexley, Lordswood and Tunbridge Wells coming into week four were again victorious.
Bexley visited Holmesdale, with the hosts still awaiting their first victory since being promoted back into the premier division. The visitors chose to bat and started solidly with Aiden Griggs back in the runs.
However, after an opening stand of 62, Dom May took three quick wickets before Griggs fell for 60. Harry Turner (49 not out) and Ahmed Jamal (36) restored order with Bexley closing on 211 for 9. May finished with 3 for 44.
Will McDowell started the reply quickly scoring 32 from just 18 deliveries and being particularly harsh on Jas Singh. However, the Kent bowler had the last word when dismissing him on his way to 3 for 45.
Jamal followed up on his batting feats with 3 for 31 as the hosts were dismissed for 145. Dave Roffey top scored with 35.
Lordswood hosted Blackheath and elected to bat first. Arafat Bhuiyan, back from playing for Kent, removed the first three batsmen on his way to 3 for 29. However a superb 83 from 69 deliveries by Joe Gordon, and contributions by Thando Ntini (36) and Jack Laraman (34) saw the hosts innings end on 245.
Opener Tejpal Birdi scored 30 for the Heath but wickets fell regularly. Hugh Scott claimed 3 for 30 and Ntini 3 for 34 as Blackheath were bowled out for 176.
Tunbridge Wells travelled to Sevenoaks and were asked to field. Michael Cowdrey (50), Evert Bekker (45), Sahil Shah (39 not out), and Cyrus White (34) were all in the runs as the hosts totted up 239 for 6.
In-form Chris Williams scored a rapid 63 from 34 deliveries before Ben Dawkins took over with 85 not out at a run a ball. Sam Smith (59) also scored at a good rate as the visitors completed the job, winning by four wickets with just under twelve overs remaining.
Reigning champions Hayes entertained Sandwich Town and were bundled out for 140 having been invited to bat. Alex Blake scored 55 but the other batsmen struggled against the Smiths. Opening bowler Alex took 3 for 27 from his ten overs before Rory returned figures of 3 for 24.
Wicket keeper / opening bat Ben Chapman anchored the response with 65 not out and Rory Smith added 30 as Sandwich won by eight wickets with nineteen overs in hand.
Finally, last season’s runners up Minster, at home to newly promoted St Lawrence & Highland Court, decided to field first after winning the toss. Both teams were playing on the back of losses.
Michael Hales (70), Jack Heuston (57), and Will Hilton (39) made the most significant contributions as the visitors were bowled out for an imposing 269. Bill Prideaux was the most successful bowler taking 3 for 48.
South African left hander Ed Moore led the reply with 77 from 38 balls. After the fall of the first wicket he was partnered by Joe Parry who scored 31.
However, once they were dismissed in quick succession, only Chris Piesley (31) put up much resistance. Heuston followed up on his half century with the best figures of the day, 5 for 53 and Kent legend Darren Stevens took 3 for 28.
Picture supplied by Keith Gillard.