There were runs aplenty in the Kent League Premier Division in week 5, with two tons and several half centuries being recorded as every team who batted first won comfortably.
One of the joint league leaders, Minster, entertained Bickley Park and took full advantage of being asked to bat first. They racked up an imposing 354 for 6. Dan Stickels struck 125 from 89 deliveries in an opening stand of 202 with David Masters, who went on to score 68. Kai Appleby then hit 71 not out off 46 balls to create heavy scoreboard pressure for the visitors.
Although openers Cam Hawkins (39) and Elliot Hooper (36) got the visitors off to a good start, wickets fell regularly and only Seb Naylor, with 49, was able to keep out Haider Zaidi’s accurate bowling. He finished with 5 for 28.
Also joint top, St. Lawrence and Highland Court travelled to Bexley, who started the day in fourth place. Having chosen to bat first, the visitors were indebted to Jason Sangha who scored 84 as they were bowled out for 208 with three overs unutilised. Ahmed Jamal starred with the ball when claiming 5 for 25 from nine overs.
After Ben Aldred scored a quick-fire 39, wickets fell quickly and Bexley crashed to 162 all out with Ben Trott claiming 4 for 18.
Reigning champions Lordswood visited Blackheath and fielded first after losing the toss. The hosts finished their innings on 235 for 9 with Riley Ayre top scoring with 86 after opener Tejpal Birdi had scored 33. Adeel Hussein was the most successful bowler with 3 for 38.
In their reply, the visitors struggled against Jahid Ahmed who returned 4 for 28. Calum MacLeod scored 70 not out but nobody else made a significant contribution as they were bowled out for 153.
Alex Blake was the other centurion when Hayes elected to bat first at home to Canterbury. He walloped 119 off just 66 deliveries including ten fours and six sixes. Finan Bryan had scored 85 earlier and they finished on 321 for 6.
Syan Bulathsinhala scored 55 not out, Jarred Lysaught 54, and Fred Sharp 30. However, the visitors were never up with the scoring rate but got the batting point that they were looking for when finishing on 204 for 9. Alfie Peck claimed 3 for 41.
Finally Tunbridge Wells hosted Sandwich Town with both clubs hoping to pick up their second win of the campaign. The visitors put their opponents in to bat and opener Ben Dawkins hit 66 from just 39 balls before Alex Williams scored a slightly more sedate 78. Michael Waller added 32 not out in an unbeaten seventh wicket stand of 64 with Mark Mclean as Wells finished on 294 for 7.
Rory Smith scored 85 and Ryan Davies 39 but Sam Huggett, with 4 for 27, kept Sandwich in check as they were bowled out for 192. As a result, the home team jumped over them to move off bottom place.
Pictures supplied by Keith Gillard.