Opportunity knocks for St Lawrence & Highland Court’s players to stake first-team claims as they aim to bounce back against rivals Canterbury after back-to-back defeats

Opportunity knocks for some of St Lawrence & Highland Court’s players to stake first-team claims.

Injury-hit St Lawrence 1sts, who suffered a 58-run loss at Kent League Premier Division basement boys Bickley Park 1sts last weekend, had four players sustain knocks during the defeat while teenage first-team player Olly Curtiss might not feature again this summer due to injury.

But 17-year-old Shineyu Anand came in at Bickley Park, as he bowled six overs (0-30) and also was unbeaten on 22.

Captain Matt Hammond said: “Shineyu Anand came in. He bowled really nicely - despite not getting a wicket.

“It’s frustrating in one sense to have these injuries but, as a club, it’s nice to have players performing at that level.

"It’s a perfect opportunity for them.

“It demonstrates how far the club has come with the players we’re attracting to the club.

“It’s a really good sign that we can lose some first-team players and have others waiting in our ranks that have not played at that level before and, when they do, they show they are more than capable.”

Australian overseas all-rounder Jason Sangha returned at Bickley Park, too, having missed their top-of-the-table clash with leaders Minster due to a slight knock.

Park reached 201 all out despite wickets for Sudesh Thakur (2-11), Josh Julian (2-32), opening bowler Joseph Payne (2-43) and John Grewar (2-48).

Will Hilton top scored with 41 in St Lawrence’s response.

“There’s a little bit that has been going on,” admitted Hammond. “We had four injuries during the game and, to come back from that, that was pretty much impossible.

“I thought we bowled pretty well on Saturday.

"But they kind of earned the right during their innings to accelerate a little bit towards the end. I still thought 200 was a little below-par.

“But then with the ball, they were just pretty consistent.

“When you have got a spinner like Elliot Hooper, you kind of know that you’re going to be right up against it. At 20-4, it’s pretty tricky to get back.

“Will put on a good 40 and was unlucky with how he got out.

"If he had put on another 20 runs with someone, it might have been different.”

Curtiss had been a leading light for St Lawrence & Highland Court, albeit the 17-year-old, who also has played for Kent 2nds, has been struck down with a recurring problem.

Hammond stated: “That’s not ideal.

"He was hitting his stride with his Kent stuff on a personal note, as well.

"But I’m sure he will be back from it because he’s a lovely kid and a really talented cricketer.”

Third-placed St Lawrence are 49 points off top and even 23 points adrift of in-form Hayes, who are second.

Hammond said: “We’ll just take it week-by-week. We will see where we’re at.

“I think we will have to win the majority of the rest of our games this season to be anywhere near the top. But we’re not really looking at that.

“We’re just hoping to get back to winning ways for now.”

St Lawrence will aim to complete a double over city rivals Canterbury when they host the second-bottom side this Saturday after edging past them by two wickets this May.

“It will be another nice local derby,” said Hammond. “Hopefully, we can repeat the result we got at their place - but maybe not the manner of it!”

Canterbury 1sts dropped back into the relegation places - albeit just three points behind Bexley - after a rain-affected 67-run home defeat against Tunbridge Wells last weekend.

Italian overseas all-rounder Anthony Mosca returned 3-37 in Wells’ 280-6.

Chasing a revised target of 254 from 40.4 overs, there were half-centuries by Mosca (67) and captain Isaac Dilkes (62) but it wasn’t enough for them.