Kent Cricket League Round-Up: Big win for Tunbridge Wells
Tuesday 17th August 2021
Two excellent centuries by Alex Williams (152) and Viraj Bhatia (132) in a third wicket partnership of 261 saw Tunbridge Wells crush Blackheath by 135 runs at The Nevill Ground.
Wells ended their innings on 325 for 5 from their 50 overs and then skittled the visitors out for 190 to keep up their chase on leaders Bexley for the Premier Division title, although they still trail the North Kent side by 18 points, after the leaders enjoyed a comfortable victory at home to Sandwich Town.
Williams hit 10 boundaries and seven sixes in his impressive innings, whilst Bhatia thrashed 13 fours and a six as they flayed the Blackheath bowling in their exciting double century partnership. Arafat Bhuiyan took 3 for 38 for the visitors. A four over spell of three wickets for six runs by Mark Mclean, and 3 for 30 from Joe McCaffrey destroyed the Blackheath innings.
Former Kent players Adam Ball and Adam Riley played a big part in Bexley’s 69 run victory at Manor Road over visitors Sandwich. Ball scored 25 and Riley 23 in Bexley’s 208 for 7, and then both had success with their bowling, Riley taking 3 for 18 and Ball 2 for 30. The visitors were all out for 139, Shaun Evans taking 3 for 12, and Kent Academy student, Jas Singh, also picked up a wicket. Opener Calum Basey had set Bexley on their way with a knock of 49.
Beckenham were four wicket winners at home to Sevenoaks Vine. After bowling out the visitors for 184, they reached their winning total of 185 for 6 with four deliveries to spare. Miles Richardson scored 42 for The Vine, and Kent Second XI wicket-keeper Harry Houilion 33. Jahid Ahmed took 3 for 25. Ahmed was then 47 not out, and James Fear scored 43, as the home side clinched their win.
Bickley Park gained a big 55-run victory away to Holmesdale, scoring 213, and then bowling out their hosts for 158. Daniel Magin hit 63 for Park, Anthony Bissett taking 4 for 48. Elliott Hooper, who featured for Kent in the Vitality Blast, took 3 for 21, and Max Luckett, 3 for 40, to propel the visitors to victory.
Bottom of the table Bromley suffered another defeat, losing away to Lordswood by 85 runs. They were bowled out for 197, replying to the home side’s 282 for 9, in which Taylor Chandler made 68, and Ed Taylor 52. Anish Patel 3 for 64. Former Kent Second XI wicket keeper Sam Smith hit a valiant 99 for Bromley with seven boundaries, and half a dozen sixes before being out LBW to former Kent Academy scholar, Hugh Scott, who finished with 3 for 51.
In Division One, leaders Minster (Sheppey) beat their nearest rivals Hayes at home by 12 runs, in a closely fought match, to open up a 14 point lead at the top. James Thompson, 55, and Aamit Raza 51, helped the home side to 229 for 8, and Hayes were bowled out for 217, with former Kent Second XI all-rounder Will MacVicar, stranded on 96 not out after he ran out of partners, after an innings which included 14 fours and a six. Chris Piesley 3 for 49.
Another Kent Second XI all-rounder Jarred Lysaught was in good form for Canterbury, as they gained a five wicket win at Polo Farm against Bromley Common. He was 38 not out in their victory score of 168 for 5, after the visitors had been bowled out for 167, Lysaught taking 2 for 31, and Oliver Hills, 3 for 15. Rajat Sharma scored 53 for Common.
Folkestone went down by 36 runs, away to St Lawrence and Highland Court, and Linden Park were four wicket winners at home to HSBC (Kent). Michael Hales scored 86 for SLHC in their 254 for 9 total, Nick Ward, 4 for 69, but Folkestone could only reach 218 for 6, despite 78 from Chris Jay, and 43 not out by Jack Evans. Charlie Nash took 3 for 37 for the winners.
Sadiq Hassan’s 53, and 49 not out by Alex Browne, took HSBC to 219, Freddie Hulbert 3 for 39, but Linden Park ran out comfortable winners, James Speer 43 in their 220 for 6 victory total.
Bottom club Sidcup went down by nine wickets away to The Mote, all out for 143, Matt Kilbey 48, Tom Harvey 3 for 21. The home side raced to victory, 144 for 1, in 26 overs, Phil Apps, 86 not out, Matt White unbeaten on 40.
By Peter Burrowes
