At the half way stage of the Kent League Premier Division cricket season, Tunbridge Wells extended their lead at the top of the table to sixteen points.
They looked in trouble at 88 for 7 in a rain interrupted innings when visitors St Lawrence & Highland Court asked them to bat first. Alex Williams put up the only real resistance at that stage scoring 36. However, Danru Ferns came in at number nine and scored 62 in a partnership of 93 with James Poulsam (31 not out) and they finished on 186 for 8 from their 39 overs. John Grewar returned 3 for 20 and Sherman Lewis 3 for 38.
Chasing a revised score of 181, St Lawrence had no answer to Ferns’ bowling and collapsed to 68 all out. The South African born New Zealand based bowler took 5 for 23 and his opening partner, Aristides Karvelas, backed him up with 3 for 19.
Second placed Lordswood travelled to Sandwich Town and were well beaten after electing to bat first. They found themselves at 47 for 6, and 106 for 9 before a last wicket stand of 36 took them to 142 all out with the wickets shared between the six bowlers used.
Shahmeer Malik was the only player in the match to get the better of the bowlers and his patient 51 not out guided the visitors home by four wickets with thirteen and a half overs remaining.
Third placed Hayes entertained last season’s champions Blackheath and heaped further misery on them to move up to second. Having been asked to bat first, an early rain interruption limited the hosts’ innings to 45 overs. Openers Aaron Burrage and Finnan Bryan each scored 31 before Will MacVicar, 78, and Rory Low, 61, helped them total 236 for 8. Siraj Sajid claimed 3 for 31.
Matthew Golding scored 64, Mason Robinson 35, and George Wells 30 in the reply chasing a revised target of 238, but Alfie Peck took 4 for 26 and MacVicar 3 for 60 as Blackheath were dismissed for 215 to remain at the foot of the table.
Starting in fourth place, Minster were at home to Holmesdale who opted to bat first. Leo Carter scored 103 supported by Will Harby 42 before they were bowled out for 249. Haider Zaidi took 3 for 36 and Bill Prideaux 3 for 56.
Akhil Venugopalan continued his prolific season scoring 92 and Jason Van Dyk finished on 78 not out as the Sheppey team won by five wickets with thirteen balls to spare.
Finally, in a local derby, fifth placed Bexley took the short trip to Bromley and claimed the bragging rights with a 99 run victory. The visitors chose to bat first but rain caused a forty minute break after less than five overs. When they returned Aiden Griggs paved the way with 57 before Ken McClure scored 92 and Matthew Stiddard struck a quck-fire 61 as they racked up 294 for 7 from their 48 overs. Krishan Daniel ended with 4 for 62.
Stan Greenleaf, 57, and Vish Parakirama, 30, had the hosts in touch with their adjusted target of 296 with an opening partnership of 66 before the young Bromley spinners went to work. Oliver Smith removed them both on his way to 3 for 37 before Louie James ripped out the middle order with 4 for 30. There was no come-back from that and they were bowled out for 196.
Images courtesy of Keith Gillard