Kent League Round-Up: Rain claims most first-round matches
Tuesday 9th May 2023
Sandwich Cricket Club were the big winners in the opening round of matches in the newly expanded Kent Cricket League, when they picked up 18 points, from a thrilling one run victory over Premier Division opponents Holmesdale, whilst all the other matches were abandoned, without a ball bowled, because of persistent rain.
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The Bexley versus newly promoted St Lawrence and Highland Court encounter, at Manor Way, was at the point of starting, with a 30 over a side, match, when the heavens opened, and the game was called off with both sides taking nine points.
The other abandoned matches in the Premier Division were Blackheath against Minster (Sheppey), Champions Hayes, against Sevenoaks Vine, and Tunbridge Wells versus Lordswood.
Sandwich took full advantage of their good fortune with the weather scoring 270 in 47.1 overs when they batted first. Zak Fagg hit 71, with eight boundaries, and Australian overseas recruit James Bazley 58. Kent all-rounder Grant Stewart made six. James Poulson 3 for 26, Kent Academy scholar Will Harby took 2 for 53, Dom May 2 for 46.
A brilliant innings of 136 not out, by overseas New Zealand batter, Leo Carter, with 11 boundaries and four sixes, and 72 from Harby, took the visitors to the brink of victory but they finished on 269 for 7, Bazley 2 for 70, Alex Smith 2 for 50.
In the newly named Championship Division, two matches were completed, Whitstable beating visitors Bromley by four wickets, but Canterbury lost by 21 runs, at Polo Farm, to Bickley Park.
A Whitstable team that included father & son Sam Denly (brother of Joe) and Kent Academy student Jaydn Denly, reached a winning 249 for 6, after Bromley had been bowled out for 247. Byron Gould scored an excellent century, 125, with 17 fours and two sixes, Elliot Lewis 49 not out, Archie Ramanathan 2 for 64.
In the Bromley innings, Richard Selvey-Clinton hit 11 fours and two sixes, in an innings of 90, Stuart Drakeley 3 for 39.
In the other match played Bickley Park scored 220 for 9, Michael Ridley 42, Henry Smith 2 for 55, Aaron Rose 2 for 50, and then bowled Canterbury out for 199, Euan Munday 39, Jason Benn 4 for 45, Elliot Hooper 3 for 20. The rest of the matches were abandoned.
By Peter Burrowes
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