A key player is set to return for Sandwich Town ahead of their weekend double header.

All-rounder Rory Smith has missed the first two 2024 Kent League Premier Division matches, including last Saturday’s home loss to Blackheath.

But he is expected to be back for Saturday’s trip to Minster, which will be followed by an ECB National Club Championship clash at Tunbridge Wells the next day.

“Rory has been away in Australia the last two weeks,” revealed skipper Tom Chapman, Smith’s cousin. “He will be back this Saturday.

“Most likely, he will be back in the squad. He adds something with the bat and the ball.

“It will be nice to have him back.”

For the second straight weekend Sandwich suffered a slender league loss, going down by 19 runs.

While Chapman had felt confident of chasing down the target, he was relieved Sandwich collected six losing bonus points at least.

He reflected: “It was a very similar scoreline (compared to their league loss at Lordswood the previous weekend) but it was a bit of a different situation with the position we were in. We were gutted to not get over the line.

“At halfway, we felt we had a good chance - but I know it’s tough, chasing at The Butts.

“They took wickets at decent stages, and they had us 66-5 and 80-6.”

Sandwich will now aim to get off the mark against a Minster side who have won both of their opening league games of the summer.

“We know Saturday will be a tough test, especially at Minster,” admitted 30-year-old Chapman.

“They have made a good start. But internally, we massively back ourselves to get results.”

A low-scoring Division 4 game saw Sandwich Town 2nds beaten by four wickets at High Halstow 1sts.

Wicketkeeper Matt Philpott’s 34 guided them to 99 all out and, although opening bowler Jared Southgate gave it his best shot with 4-9 from 10 overs, the home team won in the 33rd over.