After week five, only Bexley and Tunbridge Wells remain unbeaten in the Kent Cricket League Premier Division.
ECB National Club winners Bexley hosted reigning Kent League champions Hayes and were invited to bat first. Aiden Griggs saw off the new ball, scoring 33, and Hugo Burden scored a quick-fire 32 but when both were out, Bexley still had a lot to do.
Vice-captain Matt Stiddard then took centre stage with a superb 91 not out to guide his team to 229 for 7.
At 23 for 4, Hayes were in big trouble but Kent white ball specialist Alex Blake was joined by Rory Low. They looked in complete control, putting on 135, before Blake holed out for 64. They still appeared to be in good shape on 199 for 6, but when Low perished for 83 the tail folded and they were bowled out for 203.
Jas Singh was the most successful bowler with 3 for 36.
Also involved in a close match were Tunbridge Wells who visited Blackheath and were inserted by the home team. Alex Williams (47), Sam Smith (41), Ben Dawkins (38) and Christian Davis (38) all contributed to their 251 for 9, but Jas Basran kept them in check with 4 for 31.
Matthew Golding scored an excellent 100 in Blackheath’s response, and he received support from Jahid Ahmed with 47, but they fell ten runs short. Calvin Johnson claimed 4 for 28 and Williams followed up top scoring for his team with 3 for 45.
Previously unbeaten Lordswood suffered their first defeat when they travelled to fourth placed St Lawrence and Highland Court and came up against the full force Darren Stevens. The hosts chose to bat first and soon found themselves three down. Stevens then played his way in before cutting loose, scoring 127, as his side ended on 258 for 9. Thando Ntini returned figures of 3 for 44.
Ntini followed up by batting well, scoring 68 not out at faster than a run a ball. Ed Taylor also scored quickly scoring 49 off 49 balls, but Stevens again made crucial contributions with 3 for 15 from six overs as the hosts won by nine runs.
Fifth placed Sevenoaks Vine entertained Sandwich Town and, having elected to field, found Zac Fagg in fast scoring form. He walloped 65 from just 33 deliveries. However, once he was out, the home team kept their visitors in check.
Although Rory Smith scored 35 and Tom Burnap hit 30, Sandwich were bowled out for 194. Luke Schlemmer took 3 for 25.
Chris Vernon (30) was one of three Sevenoaks batsmen to be run out and although Michael Cowdrey did as much as he could scoring 69 not out, they fell two runs short on 192 for 9 with James Bazley taking 3 for 48.
Finally, Minster welcomed Holmesdale, still searching for their first victory of the season. The visitors won the toss and, having decided to field, came up against James Hockley in an attacking mood. He crashed 56 before Joe Parry scored an even quicker 87. James Thompson’s 47 was more sedate but 281 for 9 looked a stiff challenge in 50 overs.
Although Dom May scored 38, the hosts looked to have the match wrapped up with Holmesdale on 153 for 8. An extraordinary 121 run partnership between number nine James Poulsom, and ten Ben Fawcitt kept the game alive.
Poulsom fell to Parry (3 for 35) for a career best 73 with eight runs still required to win but Fawcitt held his nerve, finishing on 42 not out as Holmesdale won with three balls to spare.
Pictures supplied by Keith Gillard.