Week five of the Kent League Premier Division cricket season was decimated by poor weather with Lordswood being the only winners, allowing them to go to the top of the table.

They welcomed Tunbridge Wells, who started the day as league leaders, and won the toss before opting to field. After the first three wickets were out caught by wicketkeeper Max Wood off three different bowlers, Abdullah Nazir went to work and took out the middle order on his way to 4-20. That included two catches by captain Calum MacLeod at first slip, and the Lords’ captain claimed a third at second slip off Joe Gordon. He finished with 3 for 24 as the visitors were dismissed for 101.

That gave them the opportunity to restart early before the storms headed in and although they lost five wickets on the way, they reached their target in the twenty-third over to claim maximum points.

In second place at the start of the day, Bromley were also on the road at Hayes and they also elected to field. At 122 for 6, the hosts might have been in trouble. However, Rory Low with 80 not out, and Liam Buttery, 44, saw them through to 252 for 8.

Only two overs were possible in Bromley’s response before the rain fell with one wicket down and five runs on the board causing the match to be abandoned.

Fifth placed Bexley hosted Sandwich Town and were asked to bat first. Ken McClure scored 53 and Varun Anand 45 as the home team finished on 210 for 7.

Although they lost two wickets, Sandwich were on course for a Duckworth-Lewis victory but the heavy rain fell three and a half overs short of the twenty required to constitute a game with them on 72 for 2.

Last seasons champions, Blackheath, were at home to Minster and asked the visitors to bat first. Aron Nijjar scored 54 but Arafat Bhuiyan, 3 for 23, and Jahid Ahmed, 3 for 29, helped to bowl their opposition out for 150.

Tejpal Birdi tried to beat the weather with a rapid 40 in response but the heavy rain came down at 73 for 5 and the two teams were forced to shake hands with the spoils shared.

Finally, bottom club Holmesdale entertained St. Lawrence & Highland Court and the hosts also followed the trend of winning the toss and fielding first. The visitors came out flying and opener Dan Stickels scored 90. However, William Harby pegged them back with 5 for 54 and it needed a late 39 not out from John Grewar to take their score to 251 for 9. 

Whilst the two teams were enjoying their tea, the heavy rain came in and the match was abandoned before the hosts could commence their reply.

Images courtesy of Keith Gillard