Kent Cricket League Round-Up: Bexley record important win

A brilliant hat trick by 18-year-old Marcus Ritson, including the prized wicket of Scottish international and former Spitfire Calum MacLeod, propelled Bexley to a massive 163-run victory away to Lordswood.

The home side were bowled out for 109 after the visitors had scored 266 for 9, in a match reduced to 47 overs a side.

Ritson, a product of the Bexley Academy, finished with 3 for 28, Freddie Foster 3 for 25, Shaun Evans took 2 for 6, and former Kent all-rounder, Adam Ball, 2 for 21.

In the Bexley innings Ball scored 58, and Evans 71. Tom Davis 4 for 41.

With two matches of the Kent League season remaining, Bexley are 18 points clear of their nearest rivals Tunbridge Wells, in the race to become Premier Division champions.

Wells, themselves, had a convincing 126 run victory, at home to Beckenham, scoring 252 for 9, and then bowling the visitors out for 126. Chris Williams hit a century for the home side, with 13 fours and two sixes, Michael Waller, 54, Rob Clements 3 for 51.

Joe McCaffrey took 4 for 26 and Mark McLean 3 for 19, wrecked the Beckenham innings, despite 49 from Rithik Hari.

Third placed Sandwich Town beat Holmesdale by six wickets, in their away match, which was reduced to 25 overs a side. Will McDowell hit 72 for the home side in their 178 for 5, Rory Smith 2 for 25, and he was then 57 not out, and Kai Smith scored 82, as Sandwich reached their winning total 181 for 4 in 21.1 overs.

Bickley Park beat Blackheath at the Rectory Field,by four wickets in a match down to 20 overs a side. The home team reached 127 for 5, Ravindra Karunaratne 57, Daniel Magin 2 for 20. Park won with four deliveries to spare, 130 for 6, Magin 41, Tejpal Birdi 2 for 10.

Bottom club Bromley gained a much needed victory, beating Seveoaks Vine at home by four wickets. They bowled the visitors out for just 103, Chris Vernon 30, Jam Ali 4  for 23, Marcus Lilley 3 for 16. Lewis Hickford then scored 47, as Bromley reached their winning target 104 for 6.

The Division One local derb, between Canterbury and St Lawrence and Highland Court saw the home side win by 163 runs. Jarryd Taig 57, and Kent Second XI player, Jarred Lysaught 38, helped Canterbury to their 237 for 7, and the visitors then crumbled to 78 all out, Ben Rutherford 3 for 22, Oliver Wells 3 for 31, Lysaught 2 for 12.

Division leaders, Minster (Sheppey) were too strong for The Mote, winning at home by 63 runs. George Duggan was 57 not out, and James Thompson scored 54, in their 256 for 8. Tom Harvey 4 for 38. The visitors were 193 all out, Chris Piesley 5 for 54, Ed Moore 3 for 49.

There was a rare welcome win for bottom club Sidcup, 22-run victors at HSBC (Kent). Tom Copp 34, Ed Caunce 3 for 29, in their 158 for 9, and they then dismissed the home side for 136, Fazal Zaman 4 for 23, Luke Bates 3 for 25.

Bromley Common, away to Hayes, reached 144 for 7, from their revised 25 overs a side match, Gamendu Kanishta 52, Stuart Eddicott 3 for 23, but the home side won by four wickets, 146 for 6, Tom Gallagher 52.

Linden Park gained an impressive 65-run victory at home to Folkestone, who were bowled out for 199, after Park had smashed 264 in their innings, Graeme Francis 79, James Speer 59 for the home side, Jack Evans 5 for 46. Jacob Meltz hit 44 for Folkestone, in their defeat, and there were three wickets apiece for Freddie Hulbert, and Roshan Jayatissa.

By Peter Burrowes

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