There was a shock in the Kent League Premier Division when the league leaders were beaten at home by the team at the bottom of the table to open up both the title race and the relegation dogfight.
Unbeaten Tunbridge Wells hosted win-less Minster and the visitors were asked to bat first. An 87 run opening stand was ended when Ben Chapelhow fell for 49. However, his partner James Thompson kept going until dismissed for 108 as they finished on 250 for 6. Sam Huggett returned the best figures with 3 for 46.
Missing Ben Dawkins on Kent duty, Alex Williams top scored with 44 for the hosts and Drew Beazleigh scored a patient 33. Although James Poulsom scored a defiant 39 not out, the league leaders fell short on 214 for 9.
Second placed Blackheath were at home to Bexley and the visitors claimed the win in a match that went to the final over. They were invited to bat first and George Haley scored 60 after opener Shaun Evans struck 31. Bexley finished on 230 for 9 with Tejpal Birdi returning 4 for 37.
Sam Hewitt dismissed the first three in the hosts’ batting order on his way to 3 for 36 but despite batting on virtually one leg, Matt Golding kept the Heath in the game with support by Tom Foster who scored 33. Golding eventually fell for 91 before they were bowled out for 223 in the final over, seven runs shy of their target. Haley followed up his batting feats with 3 for 38.
On the road at Lordswood, third placed Bromley chased down their target with fifteen overs to spare after the hosts had opted to bat first. The top four all got in and out before both Edward Taylor and Max Wood scored 46, the latter not out. They finished on 204 for 7 with the wickets shared.
Although the visitors looked in trouble at 57 for 4, Ryan Cartwright struck 91 not out and Ollie Streets 52 not out to guide Bromley home and move them to within two points of the league leaders.
Starting the day in fourth place, Hayes welcomed Sevenoaks Vine and asked the visitors to bat first. They lost wickets regularly and only Henry Procter’s 61 held the hosts up as the Vine were bowled out for 179. Alfie Peck claimed 5 for 39 and Aaron Burrage 3 for 23.
That proved to be nowhere near enough. After Finnan Bryan scored 43, Alex Blake crashed 66 not out off 60 balls, and Burrage was unbeaten on 39 as they cruised home with over fifteen overs remaining. They are now in third place, five points off the top.
Finally, St. Lawrence and Highlands Court travelled the short distance to Whitstable and went to town after being instructed to bat first. Evergreen Darren Stevens clattered 111 from 86 balls, Josh Julian walloped 59 and Iain Carlisle 41. Will Cook returned 3 for 27 and Cullan Larkin 3 for 83 as the visitors totalled 298.
Despite a belligerent 54 from Jaydn Denly, nobody else got in and Oliver Curtiss claimed 3 for 49 as the hosts were bowled out for 161 to lose by a whopping 137 runs and plummet to the foot of the table.
Pictures supplied by Keith Gillard.