Carter’s vital scalps

Linton Park moved up to fifth place in Division 1 with a 53-run victory over Meopham. Top-order scores from James Piper (48) and Mark Christmas (43) set up a total of 217-7. Matthew Carter (3-33) removed the openers for nought and six as Linton dominated in the field. Richard Knowler (4-24) then took care of the middle order as Meopham were bowled out for 164. Promotion-chasing Bearsted raced to a 10-wicket victory over Shoreham in Division 2. Steven Benjamin (3-7) was the pick of the bowlers, with Shoreham 84 all out. J French hit an unbeaten 51 off 25 balls, including 11 fours, as Bearsted knocked off the runs in 6.1 overs. Marden beat Division 3 high-fliers Limpsfield Chart by nine runs. Paul Sunnucks made 71, with 12 fours and a six, while Nick Burdge (30) boosted Marden’s total to 204-8. Limpsfield fell short on 195-8, Alex Newport (3-50) and Freddie Hoare the main Marden wicket- takers in an exciting game. In Division 5, thirdplaced West Farleigh lost to Fordcombe by five wickets. Matt Brooke (36) topscored in Farleigh’s total of 153. Thom Williams took 3-35 but Fordcombe were comfortable winners. Linton Park 2nds were bowled out for 135 in a five-wicket defeat by Betsham. Abishek Pushpavinothan (32) and Richard Piper (31) batted patiently in Linton’s total of 135. Stuart Campbell took two wickets, including a caught-and-bowled, but Betsham won with eight balls to spare. West Farleigh 2nds lost to Otford by nine wickets in Division 7. Farleigh were out for 77, and although Les Watkins made the breakthrough in Otford’s reply the visitors won in the ninth over.