Week eight of the Kent League Premier Division cricket season enabled Tunbridge Wells to extend their lead at the top of the table to twelve points.

On another hot Saturday they visited bottom but one Holmesdale, and elected to bat first. Viraj Bhatia scored 47, Drew Beazleigh 43, Ollie Morgan 35, and Matthew Luksish 33 not out as they finished on 265 for 9. Ben Fawcitt took 3 for 33 and Anthony Bissett 3 for 41 for the home team.

While William Harby and Leo Carter were putting on 112 for the third wicket, the hosts looked well placed. However, James Poulsom dismissed the latter for 61, and the middle order fell to him in quick succession as the league leaders assumed control.

Ben Fawcett scored 32, and Harby was eighth out for 84 as they were bowled out fifteen runs short of their total. Poulsom returned to take the final wicket, finishing with 5 for 37.

Second placed Hayes were also on the road when travelling to Bexley and they fell to a heavy defeat after asking the hosts to bat first. Opener Aiden Griggs led the way with 78, supported first by Ken McClure (31), then captain Matt Stiddard (44). Stuart Eddicott removed them both as he claimed 3 for 43 to hold Bexley to 255 for 9.

Finan Bryan scored 33 in the return, but Bexley’s spinners kept Hayes in check with Oliver Smith taking 4 for 31. Former Kent all rounder, Alex Blake struck 46 in vain as they were bowled out for 190.

Starting in third place, Minster chose to bat first when they travelled to Lordswood who were one spot below them. Noah McLennan scored a quick 34 before being dismissed by Joe Gordon. Although Akhil Venugopalan scored a well crafted 62, only one other team-mate reached double figures. Gordon ended with 5 for 37 as the team from Sheppey were bowled out for 180.

Despite being 58 for four, Calum MacLeod steadied the ship with 31 for the hosts before Ed Taylor hit an impressive 76 not out to win by five wickets with just over nine overs unused. The victory allowed the Lords to leap-frog both their visitors and Hayes, and move into second place.

Hosting fifth placed Bromley, St Lawrence and Highland Court opted to bat first. After Dan Stickels had scored 47, Kent’s out of form Jack Leaning took centre stage with an excellent 102, supported by Oliver Curtiss with 41. Zac Philipson returned 3 for 40 and Aditya 3 for 72 as the innings closed on 287 for 8.

Opener Stan Greenleaf scored 46 but could only watch on as Shermon Lewis took out his first three partners on his way to 4 for 68. Sudesh Thakur then claimed 3 for 12, including Greenleaf, and the only resistance came from last man Archie Ramanathan who crashed a rapid 43 before Bromley were bowled out for 164. 

Finally, last season’s champions Blackheath entertained Sandwich Town hoping to start their escape from the drop zone. They won the toss and inserted their opponents with all appearing to be going well for them when they reduced their guests to 45 for 3.

Tom Chapman then joined Rory Smith in a partnership of exactly two hundred. Chapman was first to go for a superb 115. Smith fell eventually for 85 and the innings closed on 312 for 7.

Although George Wells struck a masterful 102, and both Angus McKenzie and Karanjot Singh scored 60, the target was too high and Blackheath were bowled out for 266. Alex Smith was the pick of the bowlers returning 5 for 53.

Pictures supplied by Keith Gillard.