Bourne just fail to put an end to run of defeats
Kent Regional League
Linton Park moved a step closer to the Division 2 title thanks to James Piper’s century against Withyham. The opener finished on 108 not out from 115 balls, a knock featuring 12 fours, while Dan Thirkell made 68 as Linton posted 228-3. Richard Knowler (5-34) and Josh Knowler (4-54) combined as Withyham were restricted to 192-9. Linton won by 36 runs and are 18 points clear with three games left. Three Bearsted players passed 50 in a big Division 1 victory against Outwood. James Tyson made 79 off 80 balls, Stephen Pearce hit 68 from 37, while Mark Hodges made 51 in a total of 258- 6. Andrew Dampier claimed 3-15 as Outwood were held to 125-9, midtable Bears winners by 133 runs. Marden are 25 points clear in Division 3 after beating Groombridge by 43 runs. Mike Jeram (66) and Alex Newport (52) saw the leaders to 209- 8. Jeram and Tom Aitken claimed two wickets each as Groombridge closed on 166- 6. Linton Park 2nds struggled with the bat in their Division 5 defeat at Sennocke. Trevor Back’s 22 was as good as it got in a total of 112. Sennocke eased to an eight-wicket success, Stuart Campbell with 2- 49. West Farleigh dropped into the bottom two in Division 6 after losing to leaders Betsham on the penultimate ball. Farleigh made 238-9 thanks to 70 from opener Ian Prideaux. Les Watkins (3-15) and Tony Williams (2-13) bowled well but Betsham edged home by two wickets. Marden 2nds slipped to second in Division 7. Joseph Young made 52 and Dai Thomas 51 but only one other player reached double figures as Marden were held to 164-9 by Cudham Wyse. Thomas removed both openers but Cudham completed a seven-wicket success. Bearsted 2nds collected 20 points after Otford conceded. Hollingbourne suffered their sixth Premier Division defeat in a row, losing to Bromley Town by 16 runs.
Dan Pritchard (4-39) bowled well as Bromley were dismissed for 198.
Dave Charlton made 50 but Bourne hopes were ended on 182.
Kings Hill won their game in hand on Staplehurst to go top of Championship East. Ben Entacott claimed 3-27 with Ash all out for 147.
Mohammed Cowdhury (45) and Alex Richards (44 not out) secured a six-wicket victory.
Leybourne raised Division 1A Central survival hopes with a two-wicket win over Belvedere.
Jake Bacon (5- 46) and Ashley Martin (4- 40) shared nine wickets as Belvedere were bowled out for 177.
Bacon completed a good day by hitting 90 as Leybourne won by two wickets.
Snodland Community were bowled out for 165 in reply to Oakfield’s 298-5, beaten by 133 runs.
The Mote 3rds slipped to defeat at Sheldwich.
Jacob Taylor and Martin Prudence took four wickets each as the hosts were bowled out for 205.
But The Mote could only manage 157 in reply, beaten by 48 runs.
Headcorn were held to 124-9 in an eight-wicket defeat by Holcombe & Blue Bell Hill.
James Price took 4-27 as Hunton beat Gore Court 3rds by 99 runs.
Wanderers, defending 169, skittled Court for 70.
Tom Curtis (5-23) starred as Lenham beat Holborough Anchorians 2nds in Division 1B Central.
He did the damage as Anchs were dismissed for 90, Peter Humphries (43 not out) clinching a three-wicket victory.
A run-out from the final ball saw Leeds & Broomfield 2nds tie with Walmer in Division 2A East.
Dominic Smith made 111 as Leeds replied to 205- 8 but the scores finished level, with Suarav Parmar the last man out.
Yalding’s bowlers earned a 91-run victory over Headcorn 2nds in Division 2C Central.
Edward Mead (4-12) was the pick of the attack as Headcorn slipped to 61 all out in reply to 152.