There was a change at the top of the Kent League Premier Division when last season’s champions, Tunbridge Wells, were beaten for the second consecutive week.

They tumbled to defeat at Blackheath who won the toss and elected to bat. Matt Golding, who was fit enough to play after sustaining an injury seven days earlier, and captain George Wells were the mainstays of the innings with 61 and 55 respectively before the Heath were bowled out for 211. Jacob Tully took 3 for 23 and James Poulsom 3 for 26.

Any doubts as to whether that would be enough were dispelled as the visitors sank to 59 for 7. Sam Huggett hit a quick 50 and Poulsom scored 46 but both fell to Niaz Khan who finished with 5 for 26 as they were dismissed for 157. Arafat Bhuiyan was also in the wickets with 3 for 26 as the Heath moved into top spot.

Starting the day in second place, Bromley also lost when they visited Bexley and asked the hosts to bat first. At 114 for 6, it looked to have been a good decision before Zeph Netherway joined Jamie Batten. Although the latter was dismissed for 33, Netherway went on to score 68 not out as Bexley finished on 224 for 8.

Having been promoted from the second eleven and taken three early wickets seven days earlier, Sam Hewitt again went to work and claimed four more wickets as Bromley slumped to 15 for 6. Although Ollie Streets scored 55 and James Butterfill 33 not out, they were bowled out for 157, Hewitt finishing with 4 for 21. Both teams are now on ninety points, four points off the top

Also joining them on ninety points are St Lawrence and Highfield Court who won convincingly at Hayes leaving the hosts in sixth spot but only six points off the top. The visitors asked their hosts to bat first and Darren Stevens removed three of the top four on his way to 3 for 46. Liam Buttery scored 71 not out, Alex Blake 44, and Rory Low 30 before Hayes were bowled out for 227.

After Matt Hammond had scored 31, Stevens let rip with the bat smashing 63 not out from 48 balls, supported by Will Hilton with 55, as the visitors romped home by five wickets with over seven overs to spare.

In a complete reversal to Tunbridge Wells who lost for the first time a week earlier, Minster had their first win that afternoon and followed it up with a convincing victory at Sevenoaks Vine who opted to bat first. Nick Compton scored 127 and Harry Bevan-Thomas added support by scoring 34 as they finished on 246 for 9. 

Although that looked competitive, in form James Thompson scored 71, and five other batters scored twenty plus as they cruised home by four wickets with two and a half overs remaining.

Finally, Whitstable, at home to Lordswood won convincingly despite losing the toss and having to field. Calum MacLeod scored 77, but it was pretty much of a lone hand as his team were bowled out for 146 with Will Cook taking 4 for 29.

Byron Gould wasted no time into getting stuck into the Lords’ bowling attack and rattled 89 not out from 52 deliveries. Jaydn Denly’s strike rate was even greater with 50 from 28 balls as the hosts raced home to win by six wickets in just 16.4 overs.

Pictures supplied by Keith Gillard.