Teenager Josh Julian impressed for St Lawrence & Highland Court 1sts in their eight-wicket Kent League Premier Division home win over Sandwich Town 1sts.

Julian, 18, struck 97 from 82 balls and shared a 152-run opening partnership with skipper Matt Hammond, who offered 72 off 54 balls.

He fell narrowly short of a memorable ton but, nevertheless, St Lawrence & Highland Court made light work of Sandwich Town’s 222 all out.

“It was nice to see Josh get some runs,” said Hammond. “He has been working hard.

“We threw him in at the deep end at the start of the season a little bit. We always knew he had enough to score runs at this level.

“We were cheering him on to get over the line [and score a century] but, unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.

“It wasn’t necessarily the wrong shot. They brought the field up and, if it goes over them, he’s raising his bat.

“I’m sure that he will get more opportunities.”

That came after opening bowler Joseph Payne (4-53) again did well in an all-round display in the field.

“With the injuries we have had, we have tried to be a bit dynamic with the ball,” said Hammond. “It was about chopping and changing.

“Joe bowled really nicely again. I think it was in his third spell where he took most of his wickets.

“It was nice for him to get in the wickets again.”

It was a second league double this summer for St Lawrence & Highland Court, who had earned a three-wicket win at Sandwich Town in early June.

Hammond reflected: “Like I said before, I wanted Saturday to be a bit more comfortable than the away leg.

“So, it was a good result.”

St Lawrence saw off Sandwich despite being without Darren Stevens - the legendary former Kent all-rounder leading England over-40s to the “Triple Crown of Cricket” through wins against Scotland, Ireland and Wales last week.

Hammond admitted: “Obviously, it was a bit gutting at the weekend not to have him.

"He was a bit burnt-out after playing three games on the bounce last week.

“But for someone like him to have that want and desire to play cricket, that’s a great thing to have.”

St Lawrence & Highland Court have moved up to second in the league - albeit they are 44 points behind frontrunners Minster with games this season running out.

“We will just take every game as it comes,” said Hammond.

“I think it’s Minster’s league to lose. If they slip up, we need to be there to try and take advantage.

“But I think we can take some great pride in how we have performed this year - even if we come second or third - with the injuries that we have had to deal with.

“From a club point of view, it’s really nice to have young players that are contributing with good performances.

“Hopefully, that means the future is pretty bright.”

St Lawrence & Highland Court are at home to fifth-placed Bexley this Saturday.

But Hammond said: “They’re a strong side.

“Hopefully, we can do the double over them - like we have done on the two other sides (Sandwich and Canterbury) that we have played recently.

“They can beat anyone in the league on their day and they’re a good bunch.

“Our wicket is looking really good now so, hopefully, it’s a run-fest.”

Second-bottom Canterbury 1sts were edged out by Blackheath 1sts by eight runs last weekend.

Jarryd Taig’s 3-41 helped restrict Blackheath to 251 all out and, although skipper Taig also struck 84, Canterbury were left 243 all out with four balls to spare.

Canterbury are at home to third-placed Hayes on Saturday.

St Lawrence & Highland Court 2nds were consigned to a 32-run Division 3 defeat at Lordswood 2nds.

Second-placed Division 3 side Canterbury 2nds beat basement boys Frindsbury 1sts by five wickets.