Skipper Matt Hammond is pleased to have seen contributions come from right through St Lawrence & Highland Court 1sts’ squad this season.

The side, heavily depleted through injuries and unavailability, saw their chances of winning the Kent League Premier Division title finally ended by a home defeat to fellow title-chasers Blackheath last weekend.

But Hammond was proud of how his patched-up squad performed in the 38-run loss.

“It’s been a good season,” said Hammond, who was without legendary ex-Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens against Blackheath and hasn’t had Australian overseas all-rounder Jason Sangha available since early August.

“Last season, we were in a position where, basically, Stevo (Stevens) won us a few games almost on his own.

“This year, it’s been spread around nicely. What’s kind of done it for us is we have won those games that have been close.

“If you lose those, you’re looking more towards a mid-table finish. We have played four games without an overseas player, as well.

“It’s been a really good team effort.”

While St Lawrence’s season-ending trip to leaders Minster 1sts today could well have a big say on who wins the title, the Canterbury-based club’s new focus is on staying in third place.

They are a point ahead of fourth-placed Hayes 1sts and Tunbridge Wells 1sts, who are fifth, while sixth-placed Lordswood 1sts can also still catch them.

Hammond said: “It was always our aim to push Minster as close as we could.

"It has kind of helped with them losing some games late on in the year.

“It’s, obviously, gutting in one sense. But if someone had offered us a top-four finish at the start of the season, we would have taken it.

"It would have been nice, going into Saturday with the chance of still winning the league.

“But that being said, we are going into Saturday with the chance to finish third.

“That’s our carrot.”

Blackheath totalled 154 all out, despite Culum Annand (2-15), Shineyu Anand (2-19), Josh Julian (2-25) and Sudesh Thakur (2-44) getting wickets.

Brad Reynolds’ 40 not out was not enough in reply as Kent bowler Arafat Bhuiyan (4-35) sparkled.

“It was an interesting one,” reflected Hammond.

“The injury list had grown a little bit more by Saturday and we had a few that were away, as well, so it was kind of a mixed group of lads that we managed to cobble together.

“Considering that, we did really well.

"I just felt we were unfortunate to be on the wrong end of a good spell of bowling from Arafat. He did it at their place, as well, and always seems to turn up against us!

“We weren’t too disheartened at bowling first. We took consistent wickets and I felt like they were under-par with the bat.

“But if you can get to 220 or 230 at this time of the year, that’s a competitive score on any pitch.

“We were pretty up against it from early on with the bat. Both seamers from the start bowled well.

“They’re one of the stronger teams in the league. We were kind of up against it after losing some early ones.

“We didn’t have the depth that we have had in previous weeks. But Brad went about his innings with real maturity, I think he’s only 18.

“It was only his second time in the first team and his second time playing in the Premier Division.

“I think there were a few lusty blows towards the end as he started to run out of partners, as well, which was good to see.

“To be in with a shout, that’s testament to the depth we have got within the club.

“Hopefully, that bodes well for the years to come.”

Thakur was tasked with opening the bowling in the absence of several of St Lawrence & Highland Court’s frontline bowlers but, once again, stepped up admirably.

Hammond said: “Sudesh has done really well this year.

“I know he was there or thereabouts when we went up, as well, but he’s done really well.

“Along with John Grewar, he’s one we have thrown the ball to when we have needed a breakthrough. He bowled well on Saturday.

"It was a different challenge for him.

“The game-plan was always to change and rotate through our overs.”

A five-wicket defeat for Canterbury 1sts against Sandwich Town 1sts consigned them to relegation.

Duncan Moore (36) and Billy Amaouche (33) guided Canterbury to 158 all out.

Opening bowler Jarred Lysaught (2-30) and Cameron Wilshaw (2-38) shone for Canterbury but Sandwich got across the line.

Canterbury 1sts end their league summer against Bickley Park 1sts - also relegated - this Saturday.

Only a point separates the sides, the losers set to finish bottom of the pile.