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Hayes beat Beckenham by 66 runs to be crowned Kent Cricket League Premier Division champions

Hayes have been crowned Kent League Premier Division champions after they beat bottom side Beckenham on Saturday.

Having been promoted from Division 1 last season, both promoted clubs, Hayes and Minster, battled it out for the title.

Kent's Alex Blake took four wickets for Hayes and guided them to a victory which won them the Kent League Premier Division title. Picture: Keith Gillard
Kent's Alex Blake took four wickets for Hayes and guided them to a victory which won them the Kent League Premier Division title. Picture: Keith Gillard

But with Minster losing their penultimate match of the campaign, Hayes took full advantage as they earned a 66-run success.

William MacVicar (108) led them to 271-8 from 50 overs while opening bowler Harri Aravinthan, 3-42, and captain Alex Senn (3-67) took three wickets for Beckenham.

Alex Blake, fresh from Kent’s Royal London One-Day Cup win at Leicestershire the previous day, then claimed 4-30 as Beckenham were all out for 205, which sparked big Hayes celebrations. Aravinthan (60) top-scored for Beckenham while MacVicar (3-34) was also in the wickets for the champions.

On Twitter, Kent head coach Matt Walker, presently away with the Oval Invincibles at The Hundred, wrote: "Congratulations to everyone at @HayesKentCC on becoming Kent Premier League champions. Fantastic achievement!"

That victory was enough for Hayes, as second-placed Minster lost by nine runs away to third-placed Bexley.

Sandwich skipper Jan Gray eased their relegation concerns, taking three wickets, as they beat Lordswood. Picture: Sean Aidan
Sandwich skipper Jan Gray eased their relegation concerns, taking three wickets, as they beat Lordswood. Picture: Sean Aidan

An unbeaten 108 by opener Aiden Griggs guided the hosts to 256-6, Joseph Parry (3-54) did well with the ball for Minster.

Opener James Thompson (95) and Ian Sels, with an unbeaten 48, got Minster close but they could only reach 247-9 from their 50 overs, just short of their target. Shaun Evans (2-27), former Kent spinner Adam Riley (2-33) and Freddie Foster (2-58) did most of the damage.

Now, there's only an eight-point gap between Minster and Bexley.

Sevenoaks Vine skittled fifth-placed Tunbridge Wells on their way to an easy victory.

Andrew Reid-Dick (4-31), supported by opening bowler Matthew Dalton’s 3-15, ensured Tunbridge Wells were 86 all out in the 31st over. The hosts then cruised home by nine wickets in the 19th over, Sevenoaks skipper Luke Schlemmer (46 not out) top-scored.

Third-bottom Sandwich Town picked up a much-needed win at home to Lordswood.

Batting first, Jake Smith (89) got them to 241 all out. Moeez Raza and Hugh Scott took three wickets apiece, ending with figures of 3-44 and 3-48, respectively.

Michael French (40) top-scored for the away team, however they were 155 all out in the 43rd over with Sandwich skipper Jan Gray (3-15) to the fore.

That result leaves Sandwich 14 points clear of second-bottom Bickley Park, going into the final match of the season, after Bickley Park lost by three wickets to fourth-placed Blackheath.

Wicketkeeper Safwaan Imitiaz and captain Daniel Magin, both with 60, led them to 240-9 while Bexley opening bowler Jahid Ahmed (5-28) shone.

Bexley wicketkeeper Brendon Louw top-scored with 80 to get them home with three balls to go. Bickley Park’s loss came despite the best efforts of Elliot Hooper (3-43).

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