Week four of the Kent League Premier Division cricket season threw up some more tight encounters and a new team at the top of the table.
Only Hayes were unbeaten at the start of the day and they travelled to the Isle of Sheppey to play Minster. Having put the hosts in, they looked to have matters under control and only a patient 31 by opener Noah McLennan kept them at bay. He fell to Alfie Peck who went on to take 3 for 32. However, James Speer then hit a belligerent 60 from 37 deliveries and the innings closed on 214 for 8.
Speer, who has played for Essex second XI this season, then took the new ball and claimed 3 for 15 off six overs. That reduced the league leaders to 20 for 3 and they never recovered. Hayes were bowled out for 88 with Bill Prideaux also in the wickets, taking 3 for 19.
That left the door open for the victors of the match between second placed Tunbridge Wells and visitors Bexley in third. Having won the toss, the hosts batted first and Will Stickler scored a brilliant 97 before running himself out. Ollie Morgan then scored 87 before holing out off Aiden Griggs who took four late wickets, including a hat-trick, for 48.
Chasing 264 was beyond the visitors despite Ben Aldred’s 53 and Griggs’ 46, and they were bowled out for 170. Matthew Luksich, in his first season with Tunbridge Wells, returned 5 for 27.
Newly promoted Bromley, in fourth place, entertained Sandwich Town in a high scoring thriller. They asked their visitors to bat first and Sidney Thomson scored 49 before Rory Smith cracked 101 not out. He was supported by a quick fire 62 from Alex Smith and 30, a run a ball 30, by Tom Chapman as the innings closed on 299 for 6. Although James Butterfill didn’t take any wickets, conceding just 18 from ten overs stood out.
Opener Aditya Kumar allayed any fears of ‘scoreboard pressure’ when scoring 113 from 117 balls. Fred Wilson scored 53 and Ollie Streets 31 as they inched home by two wickets with two balls to spare, despite Alex Smith’s 3 for 62.
Fifth placed Lordswood visited Holmesdale who elected to bat first. After losing a couple of early wickets, Leo Carter scored 37 and Will Harby 36. Nathan Khelawon scored 63 before they were bowled out for 240. Abdullah Nazir returned 3 for 25 and Joe Gordon 3 for 43.
Max Wood anchored the reply with 93 not out. He received support from Gordon (44) and captain Calum MacLeod (30) as they eased home by five wickets with three overs unused.
In the remaining game last season’s champions, Blackheath opted to bat first as they looked to put their disappointing start behind them at St Lawrence and Highland Court. Mason Robinson scored 43 but they were struggling at 94 for 5. Siraj Sajeed, 69, and Angus McKenzie put on 121 for the sixth wicket before their innings closed on 239 for 8 with the wickets shared.
Will Hilton and Fred Sharp shared an opening stand of 84 before the latter fell for 48. His partner was dismissed for 33 before Matt Hammond scored 44. Although Jas Bassan chipped away with 3 for 38, he couldn’t stop the hosts from easing home by four wickets with just under nine overs remaining.
Images courtesy of Keith Gillard