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Holmesdale beat Tunbridge Wells by 59 runs to move off the bottom of the Kent Cricket League Premier Division; Wins also for Bexley, St Lawrence & Highland Court, Lordswood and Minster

05:00, 17 July 2023

updated: 14:30, 17 July 2023

A third straight triumph for Holmesdale saw them move off the foot of the Kent League Premier Division as they won at third-placed Tunbridge Wells on Saturday.

Half-centuries by Leo Carter (71) and William Harby (69) helped Holmesdale post 277-9 from 50 overs, Alex Williams (3-55) best with the ball for the hosts.

Scotland international Calum MacLeod – shone with the ball in a winning weekend cause for second-placed Lordswood. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire.
Scotland international Calum MacLeod – shone with the ball in a winning weekend cause for second-placed Lordswood. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire.

Wicketkeeper Sam Smith top scored in the Tunbridge Wells reply with 70 and there was also a half-century for Gus Freeman (64), although they could only total 218 all out in the 46th over. Ben Fawcitt (4-37) and Callum Gallagher (3-42) doing the bulk of the work.

Frontrunners Bexley extended their winning run to six games in all competitions in dramatic style thanks to a one-wicket home win over new basement boys Sevenoaks Vine.

Evert Bekker (84) shone in Vine’s 164 all out, as Jas Singh (2-35) dismissed Kent team-mate Ben Compton for 24. But Harry Dowling was best with the ball for the home side with 4-20 from his 10 overs.

In reply, Sahil Shah (3-18) and Harry Robinson (3-27) turned the screw to leave Bexley 112-8. But captain Adam Riley (34 not out) and Dowling (2 not out) inched them over the line.

They are nine points clear of second-placed Lordswood who earned a 94-run success at Hayes.

Arafat Bhuiyan – claimed 4-40 from 10 overs for basement boys Blackheath against St Lawrence & Highland Court. Picture: Keith Gillard
Arafat Bhuiyan – claimed 4-40 from 10 overs for basement boys Blackheath against St Lawrence & Highland Court. Picture: Keith Gillard

South African Thando Ntini (79) - son of ex-Kent bowler Makhaya Ntini - steered them to 270-8 before an explosive unbeaten 23-ball 44 from Ed Taylor. Andrew Eddicott (4-47) impressing.

Rory Low’s 82 gave the hosts hope, although they were dismissed for 176 in the 42nd over. Scotland international Calum MacLeod (3-25) best for Lordswood.

Fourth-placed St Lawrence & Highland Court skittled Blackheath for just 84 on their way to a comfortable win.

Will Hilton (61) ensured they reached 199 all out in the 45th over as Kent bowler Arafat Bhuiyan (4-40) got to work again. The 26-year-old had impressed against the same opposition earlier this season - days before signing a professional contract with Kent.

Only George Wells (30) and Matthew Golding (18) made double figures in Blackheath’s weak response. Veteran ex-Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens (4-15) and Jamie Hemphrey (3-18) did well for St Lawrence & Highland Court.

Darren Stevens – took 4-15 in Blackheath’s measly 84 all out. Picture: Phillipa Hilton
Darren Stevens – took 4-15 in Blackheath’s measly 84 all out. Picture: Phillipa Hilton

Sandwich Town are now only 10 points off the foot of the table after they suffered a third consecutive league loss at home to Ed Moore-inspired Minster.

Kent wicketkeeper Jordan Cox (40) top scored in Sandwich’s 141 all out in the 39th over as skipper Moore sparkled with figures of 4-13 from 6.5 overs.

Kent’s Jordan Cox top scored for Sandwich Town but they were well beaten by Minster. Picture: Keith Gillard
Kent’s Jordan Cox top scored for Sandwich Town but they were well beaten by Minster. Picture: Keith Gillard

Moore then blasted a 42-ball 83, which included 11 fours and four maximums, to see Minster to victory in the 20th over in emphatic fashion.

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