Opener Barnes hits impressive century

Matt Barnes cracked four sixes and 21 fours in his 151 as Wye beat Sheppey by 188 runs in Kent Regional League Division 1 Central.

The opener went close to beating his league best – 177 against Bobbing Court nine years ago – in a total of 308-3, before the Islanders were dismissed for 120.

Barnes and Stuart Wise (74 including 13 fours) added 179 for Wye’s first wicket, with Raj Mahadevaiah (50) then joining Barnes in a stand of 111.

Barnes then took 3-13 with the ball as Sheppey struggled from the start. John Webster and Mark Shannon claimed two wickets each, with Alan Clark holding five catches.

Matt Statham top scored with 44 in Willesborough’s 162 all out but the Ashford side lost by six wickets at Upchurch.

Opener Ian Hughes hit an unbeaten 125 as Kennington beat Bobbing Court by 40 runs in Championship East. Hughes hit 17 fours and four sixes in his 142 ball stay, finishing 21 runs short of his club best of 146, achieved at New Romney 10 years ago this weekend.

Hughes lost opening partner Chris Watts for a fourth ball duck before dominating the rest of the innings in a total of 210-4. Jamie Carroll then took 5-58 as Bobbing were all out for 170.

Kyle McAllister (88) and David Harman (52) led Mersham Sports to a 174-run victory against Bearsted.

Skipper Darren Pugh hit 44, John Southern (39) and Alan Stevens (33 not out) in their 282-5.

Harman (3-41) then helped dismiss the Maidstone villagers for 108.

Andrew Carney hit 37 as Boughton & Eastwell were bowled out for 103 on their way to an 85-run home defeat by Invicta League Premier Division leaders Linton Park.