Shepherd Neame Kent Cricket League – week 6 review

The weather was unkind this weekend and although all five Premier matches began only two fully completed. Hartley and Bexley were the two beneficiaries as both wrapped up 18 point as they were spared the worst of the weather.

Hartley thus open a narrow six point lead at the top as they made it five wins out of six defeating an out of form Beckenham side by five wickets, the third loss on the trot for the North West Kent Club, who opened the season with three wins in a row.

Electing to bat first Beckenham made a steady start when at 75-2, Alex Senn was run out by James Cramp for 30. Calvin Savage, 3-27 and James Thompson 2-40 caused a middle order collapse leaving Beckenham 107-8.

Johan Malcom made 48 to help Beckenham to 167 all out, a tough total to defend at, and against, Hartley.

Despite reducing Hartley to 50-4 with James Hockley back in the pavilion for 30, Richard Selvey-Clinton showed great determination reaching an unbeaten 64 and with 40 by Calvin Savage Hartley reached their target five down.

Dartford's miserable return to the Premier League continued with their sixth loss in a row as they were soundly beaten by Bexley by six wickets at Manor Way.

Choosing to bat first Dartford found going tough particularly against Harry Furze (4-20) and soon found themselves floundering at 42-5.

A defiant 63 by Howard Powell and a few of the lower order chipping in Dartford managed to reach 153 in the middle of the 49th over when their final wicket fell.

Christophe Laas steered the Bexley reply with a steady unbeaten 50 and matt Stiddard made 32 as Bexley sailed home with four down and almost 20 overs to spare. Charles Hartley took 3-57 but was not enough for Dartford.

The remaining matches all reached varying stages when the weather intervened. The matches at Sevenoaks Vine and Tenterden were both incomplete.

At the Vine, Tanweer Sikander and Alex Roberts both made 48 ans George Wells 40 as Blackheath were bowled out for 199. Rain came at the break and no further play was possible.

Tenterden can count themselves the most unlucky side of the day as at 73-2 having bowled Tunbridge Wells out for 122 looked well on their way to victory when the rain arrived.

Sam Weller took 4-25 as the Tunbridge Wells batting fell apart with only Alex Williams with 54 making any significant contribution and saving Tunbridge Wells from an even more humiliating total.

Chris Vernon was unbeaten on 26 and leading Tenterden home when the game was ended by the weather.

Matt Smit had reached 35 not out and Bromley 88-3 against Lordswood when this match was abandoned.

Bexley 155-4 beat Dartford 153-10 by 6 wickets

Bromley 88-3 v Lordswood – match abandoned

Hartley 170-5 beat Beckenham 167-10 by 5 wickets

Sevenoaks Vine v Blackheath 199-10 – match incomplete

Tenterden 73-2 v Tunbridge Wells 122-10 – match incomplete