Lordswood are new leaders in Kent Cricket League Premier Division after beating Bexley: Wins for Sevenoaks Vine, St Lawrence & Highland Court, Hayes and Tunbridge Wells
Published: 05:00, 14 August 2023
Updated: 08:10, 14 August 2023
Lordswood edged past Bexley to go top of the Kent League Premier Division on Saturday with three games of the season remaining.
An unbeaten 100 from Shaun Evans helped the hosts recover from 114-5 to make 231-8 in 50 overs. South African overseas Thando Ntini (3-56) was the most successful bowler for Lordswood.
In reply, Lordswood were 37-4 as Harry Dowling (4-37 in 10 overs) took two early wickets. A half-century by Scottish international Calum MacLeod (74) and a 46-ball 58 by Ed Taylor helped guide them across the line with two balls to spare.
Lordswood have home games against Sevenoaks Vine and Minster left to play before finishing the season at Holmesdale on September 2. Bexley host Blackheath this Saturday before visiting Tunbridge Wells and hosting Sandwich Town.
Hayes earned a dramatic one-run win at second-bottom Blackheath.
Contributions by Kent’s Alex Blake (30) and Scott Gallagher (22) saw them to 124 all out in the 34th over while Pakistan overseas Tanweer Sikandar impressed for the hosts with figures of 5-37 and nearly took a hat-trick at one stage.
Opener Jas Bassan’s 34 helped them to 60-1 and they looked comfortable, only for Alfie Peck (4-21) to turn the screw to leave them 123 all out in the 44th over.
St Lawrence & Highland Court beat basement boys Holmesdale at home.
Will McDowell’s 40 ensured Holmesdale made 146 all out while John Grewar (4-32) was in sparkling form.
St Lawrence were 71-5 in reply but Will Hilton (39 not out) and captain Matt Hammond (32 not out) then saw them home with ease in the 32nd over.
Third-placed Tunbridge Wells are seven points better off after they edged a low-scoring away game at Sandwich Town.
Contributions by Calvin Johnson (22) and skipper Michael Waller (21) helped them to a modest 101 all out, as Ben Smith got to work with 4-14.
But the hosts were skittled for 77 inside 25 overs. It could have been worse, too, but for No.11 Smith’s 24. Matthew Barker (6-23) did most of the damage.
Third-bottom Sevenoaks Vine claimed a much-needed 64-run triumph at Minster.
A 31-ball 41 from Ben Price and Harry Houillon (40) got them to 173 all out despite economical bowling from Chris Piesley (3-10).
The Minster reply centred around Kai Appleby (47) but they were dismissed for 109 in 30 overs as Harry Robinson returned impressive figures of 6-30.
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Thomas Reeves