Piper calls the tune with an unbeaten ton

James Piper’s superb unbeaten century led Linton Park to victory over Horsmonden. The opener made 131 off 114 balls, with 17 fours and a six, as Linton posted 276-5. They won by 77 runs after wickets for Matt Carter (2-44) and Martin Harris (2-50) saw Horsmonden held to 199-6. Linton sit fourth in Division 1. Bearsted regained second place in Division 2 with a 98-run victory at Leigh. Andy Griffths (61) and Abhishek Podder (40) impressed in Bearsted’s total of 222. Steve Benjamin (5-24) wiped out the top order and there were two wickets each for J French and Andrew Dampier as Leigh were bowled out for 124. Freddie Hoare starred with the ball in Marden’s Division 3 win against Stonewall Park. He took 4-30 in nine overs as the visitors were restricted to 186-9. Marden completed a fourwicket victory thanks to Ollie Rhys-Jones (51, six fours and two sixes) and captain Alex Newport (49). West Farleigh beat Division 5 promotion rivals Pembury by 21 runs. Ollie Carhill (55) and Wyn Barnado (44) led Farleigh to 202-5. Barnado (3-42) also delivered with the ball after Paul Baines (2-27) removed both openers, Pembury 181 all out. Division 7 leaders Bearsted 2nds picked up 20 points after Shoreham conceded. West Farleigh 2nds won at Hadlow by nine wickets. Cameron Knight (3-31), Les Watkins (2-16) and Darren McGrath (2-22) bowled well as 10-man Hadlow were skittled for 81. Greg Snape (36 not out) hit seven boundaries while Peter Reely was unbeaten on 27 as Farleigh completed a comfortable victory. Nine-man Marden 2nds lost to promotion-chasing Otford by 141 runs. Otford closed on 244-6, Ollie Payne-Cook taking three wickets. Payne-Cook went on to hit 46 but, two men light, Marden were all out for 103.