Kentish Express Ashford & District
Tegg hundred paves the way for
Ashford Town
Liam Tegg’s second hundred of the season provided the platform for Ashford Town’s 109-run win over Betteshanger which leaves them on the cusp of an immediate return to Division 3 next season.
Tegg (127) and Luke Reeves (66) put on 155 for the first wicket, after skipper Sam Kennett won the toss and batted, then watched his side pile on the runs.
Town scored an impressive total of 272-3, before 10-man
‘Liam has been scoring runs every week this season and
he just cashed in’
Bettes, 73-0 at one stage, were all out for 163.
Town’s victory earned them their eighth 20-point maximum of the season, four more than joint leaders OD Cuaco.
Both teams are now locked together on 247 points, with two games left.
Town face an important trip to third-placed Offham on Saturday, before finishing at home to strugglers Downham & Bellingham the following weekend.
Skipper Sam Kennett said: “We always look to gamble on going for 20 every game by batting first and back our bowlers to take wickets, while Cuaco seem to go for the 16-point option.
“If we finish level, we would win the title, courtesy of more 20-point wins.
“We are 26 points ahead of Offham and if we beat them I think we are sure of going up.”
Kennett added: “Liam has been scoring runs every week this season and he just cashed in.
“It was fill your boots time. He was dropped at first slip on 10 and was patient at the start, before opening out, finding and clearing the ropes several times, with around 12 fours and four sixes.”
“The bowlers them did their job. Simon Taylor (3-21) concentrated on line and length and Craig Buckham (3-46) also did well.
Ashford Town 2nds could complete a promotion double, after a 136-run win over Bettes 2nds at Deal.
The result leaves them third, seven points behind Frindsbury, ahead of games at home to Offham and away at leaders Bexleyheath.
James Rodway (49 not out) and Jon Colbran (47) top scored in Town’s 186, before Darren Cooper (5-23) and Chris Senior (3-16) ran through the visitors, who were out for only 50.