Just three clubs, Bexley, Lordswood and Tunbridge Wells, remained unbeaten in the Premier division of the Kent Cricket League after three weeks.
Reigning league champions Hayes made the visit to Tunbridge Wells and invited their hosts to field first. Following his outstanding bowling seven days earlier, Will MacVicar scored 128 not out at almost a run a ball. He was supported by Alex Blake (45) and Tom Gallagher (32) as their innings closed on 279 for four.
In response the Williams’s put their guests to the sword. Opener Chris struck 108 from 96 balls, sharing an opening partnership of 136 with Christian Davis. Alex, who scored a century one week earlier, then took command and scored 71 not out from 70 deliveries as Wells won by five wickets with twenty-three balls remaining.
At Manor Way, last season’s runners up visited the team who finished in third place when Minster travelled to national club champions Bexley.
Minster won the toss and elected to bat and started in style. James Thompson crashed a quick-fire 43 off 32 deliveries. Opening partner James Hockley scored 41, Surrey’s one day specialist Laurie Evans added 42, and Joe Parry went for 39. However, the Bexley attack ensued that nobody went on to a big score with Ahmed Jamal impressing with 5 for 37.
Chasing 235 to win, Bexley’s task looked daunting when Hugo Burdon holed out to point for 35, but captain Matt Stiddard scored 34 before Kent Second Eleven wicket-keeper Ben Aldred crafted a superb 87. Bill Prideaux returned figures of 3 for 52 but the hosts cruised home by four wickets with just under ten overs remaining.
Sevenoaks Vine travelled to newly promoted St. Lawrence and Highland Court and chose to field. Sahil Shah devastated the St. Lawrence top order, missing Darren Stevens, with 3 for 18 off his first six overs and he returned to finish with 6 for 24. Although Michael Hales scored 35, the hosts were bundled out for 139.
Last season’s league leading scorer Luke Schlemmer put his failure one week earlier behind him as he cruised to 61 not out. Chris Vernon scored 44 as the visitors used less than half of their allotted overs to win by seven wickets.
Having decided to bat first Sandwich Town lost both openers for ducks when entertaining Lordswood. Calum McLeod dismissed Rory Smith, who scored 35, and decimated the hosts’ batting line up, finishing with 7 for 32.
Tom Burnap resisted by scoring 60 not out, and Matt Varney hit 33, but 171 all out looked to be below par.
That proved to be the case, although Lordswood had to work hard before winning by four wickets with five overs remaining. Max Wood steered them home with 59 not out, and McLeod followed up his bowling feats with 37.
Two teams awaiting their first win of the season met when Blackheath hosted Holmesdale. The Heath were without Arafat Bhuiyan, who was playing for Kent in their Championship game against Surrey at The Oval, and fielded after losing the toss.
Their bowlers did their job by dismissing their hosts for 163, despite Ollie Chaplin’s 54 and Dom May’s 44. Tejpal Biridi returned figures of 3 for 36 and Matthew Golding took 3 for 39.
It was then the turn of their batting unit and Golding again starred scoring 67 not out as they cruised home by six wickets with eight and a half overs remaining.