After Saturday’s results, the Kent Cricket Premier Division league title will go right to the wire.
Both leaders Bexley, and second placed Tunbridge Wells, were beaten bringing Sandwich Town back into contention.
Bexley had one hand on the trophy before being beaten by one run against Beckenham. James Fear scored 65 and Jahid Ahmed crashed 48 at almost a run a ball as the visitors finished on 192 for 9 having elected to bat. Jas Singh returned the best figure of 4 for 32.
In response, Bexley found themselves in a spot of bother at 78 for 6 thanks to Ahmed’s 4 for 21. However Ben Aldred, supported by Adam Riley, put on 91 to put themselves into a strong position. Aldred continued and scored 70 before charging Johan Malcolm and getting stumped with three runs needed to win in just under five overs but with only two wickets remaining. Malcolm then sent back Singh for a duck and Marcus Ritson also failed to trouble the scorers, falling in the next over, as Bexley were dismissed for 191. Malcolm finished with 3 for 45
Sandwich Town knew that they had to win and despite losing the toss, they bowled out Tunbridge Wells for 173. David Smith scored 54 and Viraj Bhatia 41 but nobody else reached twenty. Jan Gray took 3-48 with the remaining wickets shared.
Young Kai Smith paved the way in the reply with 37 from 38 deliveries before Rory Smith with 62 and Ben Smith’s 32 not out saw the hosts home with almost six overs to spare. Tunbridge Wells cannot now catch Bexley but can have a say in the title race as they host Bexley who are 29 points clear of Sandwich, but they have two games left to Bexley’s one.
Although Bromley are already certain to be relegated, the other club to go down is still not certain. Holmesdale hammered Blackheath but it may be too little too late. Captain Luke Blackaby scored a brilliant 108 having won the toss and elected to bat, and he got support from Anthony Bissett who scored 33. Rishi Roy-Mukherjee took 4 for 26 in just five overs.
Charlie-Sid Speller top scored with 31 but Blackheath could only muster 149 all out with Ben Fawcett claiming 4 for 42 and Mike Bryan 3 for 31.
Lordswood guaranteed their safety in a high scoring match at Sevenoaks Vine. Chasing 263, it was a real team effort that saw them through. Linden Lockhart scored 59, Chandler Taylor 55 not out, Tom David 44 not out and Michael French 33 and they eased home with ten balls to spare.
Earlier Chris Vernon had scored 68, Sam Seecharan a quick scoring 62 not out and Michael Cowdrey 37 as the Vine totalled 263 for 4 in a difficult day for the bowlers.
Relegated Bromley were defeated at Bickley Park for whom Safwaan Imitiaz continued his excellent season by top scoring with 78. All six Bromley bowlers took wickets to keep Bickley down to 180.
That was an ample total as Jason Benn took a firey 5 for 25 to bowl Bromley out for 160. Richard Selvey-Clinton scored 47 but it was a lone effort as wickets fell regularly at the other end.
Picture supplied by Keith Gillard.