Saturday demonstrated perhaps just how close the battle for the Premier title may be this year as with largely only four games each played, no one is now unbeaten.
Tunbridge Wells who have played on extra game lead the way with a slender five point lead but then only three points separate the next five places. Beckenham and Blackheath’s winning streaks were ended by Tenterden and Hartley respectively and there were wins also for Bexley, Tunbridge Wells and Lordswood.
Linden Lockhart and Fabian Cowdrey shared a second wicket partnership of 248 as Lordswood piled on the runs at Dartford. Both scored fine centuries Lockhart ending on 123 and Cowdrey 121 as Lordswood raced to an impressive 281-4 from their fifty overs. Despite a useful 74 from keeper Callum Jackson this total was to prove too many for Dartford as they were bowled out for 153, Cowdrey featuring again with 3-35.
For the second week running Sevenoaks Vine struggled a little with the bat as they could only manage 161 all out as they visited Manor Way Bexley, John Bowden top scoring with 27. Usman Jan and Jasdev Bassan both picked up three apiece for the home side. Aryan Jain with 73 anchored the Bexley reply and they chased down their target to win by four wickets at the end of the 47th
Tunbridge Wells emerged victors by 28 runs in a high scoring encounter at Bromley. Invited to bat by their hosts Tunbridge Wells made good progress through their innings Michael Weller scoring 81 and Christopher Williams 62 and Alex Williams chipping in with 35 posted a respectable 258-9 from their fifty. Matt Smit produced the best figures for Bromley with 4-49. At 150-4 Bromley looked well in contention with Shavawn Cunningham scoring 39 and Miguel Barbosa 37 but neither could bat through. Despite 31 from Sam Smith wickets began to fall and the run rate increased and Bromley fell 28 runs short, nine down.
Calvin Savage took 4-29 as Hartley invited Blackheath to bat at Culvey Close. Warren Lee 53 and Jahid Ahmed 41 were the main contributors to the Blackheath total of 186 all out and they will have rued not batting for the five and a half remaining overs as Hartley only just made it home. Dan Stickles was the mainstay of the Hartley reply with 73 and James Thompson chipped in with 37 but it was Calvin Savage that steered Hartley home with an unbeaten 35 as they recorded a three wicket victory.
Only a fine 98 from Will MacVicar aided by 32 by Peter Walters rescued Beckenham from an overall poor batting performance at Tenterden. Beckenham were bowed out for a disappointing 201 with 4 and a half overs to go on a decent track down at Morghew Park. Those extra overs were crucial. Sam Weller (3-30) and Chris Vernon (3-22) both bowled with great discipline. Ben Price led the way for Tenterden with 60 and despite decent figures by Will MacVicar (3-39) and Peter Walters (3-32), much of the rest of the Beckenham attack disappointed and Tenterden deservedly got home with two wickets in hand and just over 7 overs to spare. The Beckenham spinners fought back towards the end but Alistair Neale held firm with an unbeaten 23 and guided the home side across the line.
SHEPHERD NEAME KENT CRICKET LEAGUE
PREMIER LEAGUE
WEEK 4 – 28 May 2016
Bexley 165-6 beat Sevenoaks Vine 161-10 by 4 wickets
Bromley 231-9 lost to Tunbridge Wells 258-9 by28 runs
Dartford 153-10 lost Lordswood 281-4 by 128 runs
Hartley 189-7 beat Blackheath 186-10 by 3 wickets
Tenterden 205-8 beat Beckenham 201-10 by 2 wickets