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Blackheath win the Kent Cricket League Premier Division title after beating Tunbridge Wells, pipping Minster to top spot after their defeat against St Lawrence & Highland Court – Canterbury finish bottom

05:00, 09 September 2024

The Kent Cricket League Premier Division title went to the wire as Blackheath took over top spot on the final day of action.

South East London side Blackheath clinched the KCL title after beating Tunbridge Wells on Saturday at their Rectory Field ground.

Bowler Yashraj Joshi for Minster against St Lawrence & Highland Court Picture: James Buttenshaw
Bowler Yashraj Joshi for Minster against St Lawrence & Highland Court Picture: James Buttenshaw

Their win saw them leapfrog Minster at the top after the Isle of Sheppey side - who had led the division for much of the season - lost at home to St Lawrence & Highland Court.

Charlie Sid-Speller’s half-century helped Blackheath to a total of 136 all out against Tunbridge Wells and it proved to be enough as they bowled the visitors out for 106.

It was heartache for Minster as their poor end-of-season form continued, leaving them to settle for a runners-up spot, one place ahead of their weekend opponents.

Minster won the toss at Gilbert Hall and put the visitors into bat. Having reduced St Lawrence to 74-6, things were looking promising, but John Grewar hit an unbeaten 67 batting at eight, while Sudesh Thakur (21) and Joseph Eves (37) added valuable runs from the middle order.

Needing 185 for victory, Minster were 148 all out.

Haider Zaidi hits a four as Minster chase 184 against St Lawrence & Highland Court Picture: James Buttenshaw
Haider Zaidi hits a four as Minster chase 184 against St Lawrence & Highland Court Picture: James Buttenshaw

The battle at the bottom of the table between Canterbury and Bickley Park was tied after both teams were bowled out for 169.

Both teams took 10 points which meant no change in the standings as Canterbury ended the season bottom of the pile, one point worse off than their final-game opponents.

Bickley Park were put into bat and Cam Hawkins (38), Sebastian Naylor (35) and Michael Ridley (35 not out) all contributed to the visiting team’s total.

Jarred Lysaught took 3-51 and Syan Bulathsinhala returned 4-27.

In reply, Anthony Mosca hit 45 and Bulathsinhala was unbeaten on 47.

Canterbury had plenty of overs spare but Ismail Baharami got the last man out in the 38th over, bowling four dot balls before his fifth delivery ended with the dismissal of Cameron Wilshaw, a third catch of the day taken by Manav Khatri.

Sandwich Town finish third from bottom after losing to Bexley in their final game.

Bexley won convincingly, posting 242-9 before then skittling their opponents out for 72.

Half-centuries came from Bexley opener Aiden Griggs (77) and Ellis Daly (57) helped them to a sizeable total before their bowlers had the visitors out inside 20 overs. Fraser McWhinnie took 4-32.

The match between Hayes and last season’s champions Lordswood was abandoned.

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