There was more drama in week eight of the Kent League Premier Division on a scorching day when. unsurprisingly, every team that won the toss elected to bat first.

League leaders Blackheath got off to a horror start at Minster as they stumbled to 37 for 5 with Jamie Speer enjoying himself on his way to 3 for 38. captain George Wells led the comeback with 48 and Jas Bassan scored 35 not out before they were bowled out for 174.

At 36 for 1 from just four overs, the hosts looked well in control until Arafat Bhuiyan went to work. After his first two overs had gone for 17, he took 5 for 12 from his next eight overs as Minster were dismissed for 112.

Second placed Tunbridge Wells were well beaten at home by Whitstable. A Denly father and son partnership was crucial to the visitors. Kent’s Jaydn was cautious at first before breaking loose to score 110 from 120 balls. He was on 82 when his father was caught in the outfield for 35. Nobody else scored more than eleven as they finished on 229 for 8.

Although there had been a rain break, no overs were lost and young Denly backed up his batting with a brilliant ten over bowling spell, finishing with 5 for 23. Wells were bundled out, eventually, for 114, falling to their third consecutive defeat.

Travelling to Bexley, Sevenoaks Vine looked in control at 99 for 3 before the home team strangled the middle and lower order with tight bowling. Bradley Hope’s 66 was something of a lone hand after Fraser McWhinnie had removed cousins Ben and Nick Compton on his way to 3 for 34. Hope fell to Shaun Evans who claimed 3 for 11 as the innings closed on 185 for 9.

Evans then opened the batting and scored 33 before Ben Aldred scored a patient 41. The hosts eventually eased home by four wickets with five overs in hand to move into joint second place.

They were joined by St Lawrence and Highfield Court who chased down Lordswood’s 167. Callum MacLeod scored 53, Connor Dale 38, and Brad Goldsack 31 for the visitors. However, nobody else scored double figures as Tom Elworthy took 3 for 26 and Tom Copestake 3 for 30 backed up by ten tight overs by Darren Stevens who returned 2 for 15.

Fred Sharp’s solid 43 laid the foundations for the reply before Stevens crashed an unbeaten 75 from just 45 balls as the home team raced home to win by six wickets with nearly twenty overs unused.

Finally, Bromley hosted Hayes and it was the visitors who prevailed. Rory Low (61 not out), Aaron Burrage (54), Finlay Baker (53), and Will Harby (51) put them on their way to victory as they posted 268 for 8. Aditya Kumar was the most successful bowler with 3 for 39.  

Although Sean Thompson scored 59, Will MacVicar took 4 for 38 and Alfie Peck 3 for 40 as the home team were bowled out for 199, one run short of a seventh bonus point.

Pictures supplied by Keith Gillard.