After week 14 in which the Kent Cricket League Premier Division table was totally washed out, there were no weather issues seven days later when there was a change at the top of the table.
Leaders Bexley hosted second placed Lordswood in what turned out to be another thriller at Manor Way. Having elected to bat first, the hosts were indebted to Shaun Evans’ 100 not out. Harry Turner supported him with 32 but the bowlers didn’t let them get away and the hosts finished on 231 for 8. Thando Ntini returned figures of 3 for 56.
At 37 for 4, Lordswood were in trouble but former Bexley all rounder Callum McLeod played a captains innings of 74 supported by Jack Laraman 37 as they put on 101. However, when both were dismissed by Harry Dowling, who finished with 4 for 37, they still needed 68 from nine overs. Edward Taylor stepped up and scored a superb 58 as they won with two balls and three wickets to spare.
That gave Tunbridge Wells the opportunity to put themselves right back in the title race when they visited Sandwich Town. On a bowler friendly pitch they were invited to bat first and struggled to 101 all out from 32.2 overs. Ben Smith claimed 4 for 14 off 8.1 overs and Alex Smith took 3 for 26.
If Wells found batting hard, Sandwich found it almost impossible as they were hustled out for 77. Matthew Barker returned 6 for 23 and Michael Waller 3 for 16 each off ten overs.
Bottom club Holmesdale chose to bat first at St. Lawrence & Highland Court and they were dismissed for 146 with Will McDowell’s 40 being the top score. John Grewar had the best bowling figures with 4 for 32.
Although Callum Gallagher took wickets with the first two balls of the innings on his way to 3 for 31, Jack Heuston calmed any nerves with a hard earned 36. Will Hilton, 39 not out, and Matt Hammond, 32 not out, then guided the hosts home by five wickets with nearly twenty overs to spare.
Minster entertained troubled Sevenoaks Vine and it was the visitors who claimed the crucial win to take them out of the bottom two. Having won the toss, the visitors batted first but were bowled out for 173. Ben Price scored 41 and Harry Houillon 40. Chris Piesley took 3 for 10.
Despite Kai Appleby scoring 47, the hosts fell well short of their target being bowled out for 109. Harry Robinson ended with 6 for 30.
Seventh placed Hayes made the short journey to Blackheath in eighth and they played out an incredible match. The visitors were inserted and only Alex Blake reached 30 as they were bowled out for 124. Tanweer Sikandar took 5 for 37.
When the hosts were 60 for 1, they seemed to be well in control. Jas Bassan held the top half of the innings together with a patient 34 but struggled to find anyone to stay with him. Alfie Peck removed him, finishing with 4 for 21. Hayes continued to chip away but looked done when the Heath were one run behind with two wickets in hand. However, Blake bowled fellow Kent player Arafat Bhuiyan and Andrew Eddicott removed Charlie-Sid Speller three balls later.
Three games remain and Lordswood now lead the table by two points from Bexley. Tunbridge Wells are a further six points behind and St Lawrence & Highland Court another seven points adrift. At the other end Holmesdale are bottom, eleven points behind Blackheath with Sevenoaks Vine and Sandwich Town not yet safe.
Images courtesy of Keith Gillard