Former captain Will Hilton delivers long-awaited half-century in St Lawrence & Highland Court 1sts’ Kent Cricket League Premier Division derby win against Canterbury 1sts

There was a long-awaited half-century for Will Hilton as St Lawrence & Highland Court 1sts completed the Kent League Premier Division double over city rivals Canterbury 1sts on Saturday.

The former first-team captain top scored with 51 to help St Lawrence chase down their target of 235 with four balls to spare, having also top scored with 41 in a surprise defeat at basement boys Bickley Park 1sts a week earlier.

First-team skipper Matt Hammond, with Hilton his vice-captain, said: “It was a long time coming from him!

“Will always comes good at some point during the year.

“This year probably more than others, it has worried him a little bit. But form is temporary and class is permanent.

“Throughout the whole year, we have been winding him up, saying he would be fine with the pink ball.

“He batted really well on Saturday. He took a bit of the sting out of the attack.

“He lost Jason Sangha and Stevo (Darren Stevens) when he was out there.

"When they got Jason, their tails were always going to be up. But Will went about his work in a good manner.

“Him and John Grewar got us close, and John was there at the end.”

While Hilton was eventually dismissed with a fair bit of work still to do, Grewar (34 not out) remained and hit the winning runs despite Syan Bulathsinhala (2-46), Isaac Dilkes (2-49) and Jarred Lysaught (2-50) getting wickets for second-bottom Canterbury at Highland Court.

“John’s a good player,” said Hammond. “He’s trying to focus on his attributes with the ball more.

"Him batting at No.7 shows the depth in our batting. Joe Eves did well, as well.

“He had got a few good scores for the 2nds. He was probably batting a little bit lower than he’s used to.

“Canterbury took a chance bowling Jarred and Syan out with a few overs to go. But John won it for us.

“It’s the first double of the season, it was a good game to do it in.

"It was nice to get back to winning ways, as well, after two defeats.”

St Lawrence’s run-chase came after Ben Marsh’s 50 had helped Canterbury reach a 50-over total of 234-7 while veteran all-rounder Darren Stevens (2-25) did well.

Reflecting on a solid all-round display in the field, Hammond said: “Josh Julian didn’t take a wicket but he had a pretty good economy in the circumstances.

“The others shared the wickets among themselves.

“We have had a few injuries on the bowling-front, so it was quite nice for everyone to chip in with a few wickets.”

St Lawrence’s weekend triumph was not dissimilar to their victory at Polo Farm in May when they edged it by two wickets.

Hammond said: “It wasn’t quite as close!

“I felt like we were in a little bit more control in this game. We sort of said at the start of the game that we needed to make sure we took the game as deep as we can.

“Chasing 235 was probably about par but they’re always tricky chases. But we felt, if we batted the 50 overs, we were always going to win.”

St Lawrence remain third, 23 points behind second-placed Hayes and some 34 points adrift of leaders Minster, surprisingly thumped at Bexley at the weekend, ahead of their journey to defending champions Lordswood 1sts this Saturday.

“They’re strong,” admitted Hammond. “The league is so bunched-up at the moment.

“Minster are still a way away - but they showed at the weekend that they are human.

“We just need to put ourselves in the best position possible.”

Hammond also gave his views on the pink-ball and coloured clothing experiment which is being undertaken in the second-half of the Kent League Premier Division campaign.

He said: “I would probably rather see a change in format.

“I like the change-up. But could there be a change in format, as well? Perhaps.

“We will just have to see what the outcome is.

"There were a few old boys who have been watching cricket at that level for 60-odd years there on Saturday.

“Maybe, they’re the ones to ask!”

Canterbury 1sts - still only nine points from safety - are set to host sixth-placed Bexley 1sts on Saturday.