The top two in the Kent Cricket League Premier Division, Bexley and Tunbridge Wells, both won but Saturday night storms dented Sandwich Town’s hopes

Hosts Lordswood elected to field when they entertained Bexley and were probably happy when both openers were back in the hutch with 32 on the board. They then had a long wait for a further breakthrough as Shaun Evans (71) and Adam Ball (58) put on 138 for the third wicket. Matt Stiddard hit a quick fire 41 but Tom Davis, who took a hat-trick in their encounter earlier in the season, took 4 for 41 to stop them from getting away completely. A rain interruption during the innings meant that the game was reduced to 47 overs per side and Bexley finished on 266 for 9.

An adjusted target of 273 was set and Marcus Ritson took two wickets at the end of the second over and completed his hat-trick with the first ball of the fourth to match Davis’ achievement earlier in the season. He finished with 3 for 28 and Freddie Foster took 3 for 25 as Lordswood were hustled out for 109.

Tunbridge Wells kept the pressure on with a thumping win over Beckenham. Chris Williams became their third centurion in two weeks when scoring 117 from 121 balls and Michael Waller scored 54 as the hosts finished on 252 for 9. Rob Clements took 3 for 51.

Rithik Hari scored 49 in Beckenham’s return but nobody else reached 15 as they were bowled out for 126. Joe McCaffrey took 4 for 26 and Mark Mclean 3 for 19.

Sandwich Town won their first game of the weekend with a six wicket win at Holmesdale in a 25 over match. The hosts elected to bat first and Will McDowell scored 72 supported by Luke Blackaby with 33 as they scored 178 for 5.Rory Smith took 2 for 25 from his five overs.

Sixteen year old Kai Smith with 82 not out led the way and Rory Smith followed up on his bowling feats with 57 not out following Zack Fagg’s 31 as Sandwich eased home with nearly four overs to spare.

Unfortunately, their second game, the rearranged fixture with Lordswood, fell foul of the overnight bad weather and each club took nine points.

Sevenoak Vine’s faint hopes were ended in defeat at relegated Bromley in a reduced overs match. Chris Vernon top scored for Sevenoaks with 30 but they were bowled out for 103. Jam Ali claimed 4 for 23 and Marcus Lilley 3 for 16.

Lewis Hickford scored 47 as Bromley reached their target with four wickets in hand to record just their second victory of the season.

Blackheath and Bickley Park contested a thrilling twenty over game with the visitors winning with four balls to spare. Rishi Roy-Mukherjee batted through the 20 overs for the Heath scoring 45 but the knock of the innings was Ravindra Karunaratne’s 57 off just 37 balls. That enabled the hosts to finish on 127 for 4. Daniel Magin took 2 for 20 from his four overs.

Captain Magin top scored in Bickley’s reply scoring 41 from 35 balls but it was Michael Ridley with 26 not out from 16 balls who guided the visitors home. Tejpal Birdi was the standout bowler taking two wickets for just ten runs from his four overs, but to no avail.