Pacesetters push on at the top

Division 4

The top four sides in Division 4 all won at the weekend. Leaders Frindsbury claimed a five-wicket victory over Walmer after successfully chasing down 204.

Chris Mumford took 4-41 for Frindsbury while Mark Gracey (2-22) dismissed Walmer’s leading run scorer Alex Butler (50) after he clocked up his half-century. Mumford now has 25 wickets to his name in the league as his rich vein of form continues.

In reply, Frindsbury got home in the 45th over, with top order batsmen Josh Duane (50), Dave Coyle

(44) and Robert Sait (44) all contributing, along with middle-order man Samuel Gracey, with an unbeaten 25. Kings Hill, in second, beat Old Colfeians by 48 runs. Batting first, Kings Hill scored 213-7, with the division’s leading run getter Ross Allen top scoring on 79. Neil Taylor (39 not out) and Werner Laubscher (26) also chipped in.

Allen has seven more runs than Walmer’s Butler this season, 407 to 400, having both played nine games.

Old Colfes were bowled out for 165 and the wickets were shared around, Rhys Morgan (2-26) taking a couple of top-order wickets and Jack Raffles picking up 3-25. A terrific bowling performance from Jack Valentine helped Staplehurst to an eight-wicket win over Downham & Bellingham. Season best figures of 5-14 from Valentine accounted for Downham’s top five as they were restricted to 152-9. In reply, Staplehurst openers had contrasting fortunes. Sam McConnel was trapped leg before for one but Gregor Paterson guided the team home, unbeaten on 68.

High Halstow (113-3) claimed a seven-wicket win over Addington Village after chasing down 111.

Rainham’s Chris Small took 4-33 to help bowl Bapchild out for 149. In reply, Neil McCue (34) and James Ward (40) top scored as Rainham got home by one wicket in the 43rd over.