Ashford looking for wickets against Lordswood

Ashford became the first side to defeat runaway leaders Lordswood in Shepherd Neame Kent League Division 1 on Saturday.

Lordswood went into the game with 10 wins and one draw from 11 matches but finally came unstuck against an Ashford side who bounced back in impressive fashion from their four-wicket defeat by Folkestone the previous weekend.

James Rand and Andrew Maurice claimed two wickets apiece, restricting Lordswood to 150-6, and Shannon Fattore (50) maintained his batting form to lead Ashford to their best win of the season.

Second-placed Hythe missed an opportunity to slice Lordswood’s big lead when they were held to a draw by bottom club Canterbury.

Donald Carter and Dan Furnival both took three wickets for Hythe as Canterbury made 194 all out, thanks mainly to an unbeaten 67 from Donald Carter.

Hythe then found run scoring difficult and were grateful to 36 not out from No 8 Ben Dwyer to ensure they avoided defeat.

More cricket in this week's Kentish Express