Bad weather decimated the fixtures in the Kent League Premier Division in week fourteen.

League leaders Bexley took full advantage of the situation when they visited Bickley Park and claimed the full eighteen points in a twenty-five over game. Opening batsman Aiden Griggs took the attack to Bickley scoring 56 from 46 deliveries. He fell to Ranjit Singh who took 3 for 35 but Adam Ball’s 49 not out and 32 not out from Ben Aldred allowed the visitors to finish on 192 for 4.

Alex Fullerton scored a boundary off Jas Singh’s first legal ball in reply but hit his second into the safe hands of Griggs and that set the tone for the innings. Marcus Ritson claimed 3 for 31 and although Safwaan Imitiaz notched 31, wickets fell regularly. The hosts were finally dismissed for 123 from 22.4 overs.

The only match to go the distance was a surprise result when struggling Beckenham visited Sandwich Town and dented their championship hopes. The hosts were invited to bat first and Jahid Ahmed was almost unplayable with the new ball, taking 5 for 23 in his ten overs. Rory Smith scored 44 before falling to Johan Malcolm who ended with 3 for 7 from 6.3 overs as Sandwich were bowled out for 126 in 40.3 overs.

In return, captain Matthew Van Poppell made it difficult for Beckenham taking 4 for 24 from his ten overs but he was unable to remove man of the match Malcolm whose 53 not out inched his side over the line with one wicket remaining and 3.2 overs to spare.   

Fourth placed Sevenoaks Vine entertained second in the league Tunbridge Wells but they were forced to share the points. The visitors chose to field in a twenty over game but spent a lot of time ball chasing as Sevenoaks racked up 179 for 5. Luke Schlemmer was promoted to open and he smashed 57 from 33 deliveries. Evert Bekker (40) and Michael Cowdrey (28) kept the pressure on although Christian Davis took a very respectable 2 for 21 off his four overs. 

The visitors were up with the rate on 45 for 1 from 5.2 overs but the weather ensured that there would be no finish. 

Neither Blackheath v Lordswood or Bromley v Holmesdale were able start so the four clubs had to settle for nine points each.

Picture supplied by Keith Gillard.