Kent Cricket League Round-Up: Sandwich lead by four points
Tuesday 13th July 2021
With a 56 run victory over Blackheath at Rectory Field, Sandwich have a four-point lead at the top of the Premier Division at the halfway stage of the season, and a game in hand on their nearest rivals, Bexley.
It was a day for the Smiths, as Sandwich racked up a score of 235 for 4 when they batted first. Alex was 78 not out, with three boundaries and two sixes, and Rory 42 not out. Mahi Mahjuzur 2 for 25.
Blackheath were dismissed for 179, Raundra Karunaratne 53. This time round, Alex Smith did well with the ball taking 3 for 30, former Kent Academy bowler with Jan Gray 2 for 52.
In-form Bexley crushed bottom of the table Bromley by 155 runs, in their away fixture. Shaun Evans scored 77, Calum Basey 69, Matt Stiddard 45, and former Kent all-rounder Adam Ball 22, in their 278 for 5. Bromley were then skittled out for 123, Lewis Hickford 52, Ryan Cartwright an excellent 5 for 24. Ball took 3 for 22 and another former Kent player, Adam Riley 1 for 19.
Holmesdale beat Beckenham in their home match by 78 runs, in a game reduced to 20 overs a side. Luke Blackeby 51 not out, and Dom May 53 not out, took the home side to an impressive 227 for 3, Rob Clements 2 for 26. The visitors struggled to 149 for 7, James Lear 69, Thomas Masding 3 for 20.
Will Stickler top scored with 71, as Tunbridge Wells were 61 run winners away at Lordswood, totalling 181 for 8 in a 28 over a side match. Former Kent Academy student, Hugh Scott, took 3 for 32 for the home side, who fell well short of victory at 120 for 7, Mark McLean 4 for 30.
The match between Bickley Park and Sevenoaks Vine was cancelled because of COVID-related issues.
First Division leaders Bromley Common, who have a four point advantage over The Mote, were too strong for bottom club, Sidcup, and ran out nine wicket winners at home.
Sidcup were bowled out for just 94, James Butterfills 5 for 14, destroying the visitors innings. The Common knocked the winning runs off in the 11th over, Leigh Walker 64 not out, with eight fours and four sixes.
In a match reduced to 25 overs a side, The Mote went to Polo Farm, and beat Canterbury by 17 runs.
Their 144 for 5, Tom Harvey 52, Alex Beck 2 for 8, proving to be enough, as the home side were all out for 127 in reply, despite 50 from James Lilley and 42 by Kent Second XI all-rounder Jarred Lysaught. Matt Luksich took 4 for 30 and Phil Apps 3 for 15.
Folkestone suffered a disappointing eight wicket defeat away at HSBC, Kent’s Second team wicket-keeper, Jacob Miltz top scoring with 67, which included six boundaries, in his sides 142 for 9, Nick Wheldon 2 for 13, Sadiq Hassan 2 for 29. The home side cruised to a comfortable victory 145 for 2, Bilal Awan 51 not out, Alex Browne 50 not out.
Hayes had a big 129 run win at home to St Lawrence and Highland Court, with Will MacVicar starring for the hosts. He made 50, and James Bamber 78 in their 250 for 7, and MacVicar then took 4 for 19, as the visitors innings disintegrated to 121 al out, despite 41 from Harry Wren.
Because of an unfit ground, due to heavy overnight rain the fixture between Linden Park and Minster (Sheppey) was called off without a ball being bowled.
By Peter Burrowes
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