Knight takes over reins as winning run continues

Tenterden

Tenterden’s game plan worked a treat as they stretched their winning sequence in Shepherd Neame Kent League, Division 1 to five games with a four-wicket win over The Mote at Maidstone on Saturday.

Set 210 to win, openers Ben Price and Chris Vernon – who both made 61 – gave Tenterden the perfect start with a stand of 120 as they chased down their target inside 40 overs, to reduce the gap on Bromley Common from 17 points to four.

Stand-in captain Tevis Knight (Jnr), leading the side in the absence of Andrew Crawford, said: “We won it exactly the way we spoke about it before we started. Punish the bad ball and build partnerships, not look to win it in 20 overs.”

“Ben hasn’t been available much this season and this was only his second game but he and Chris batted well. It was a good all-round performance.”

Gamindu Kanishka’s 96 was the mainstay of The Mote’s total of 209 but Knight added: “We were worried and little nervous when they got to 140-2 with around 15 overs left.

“But then we started to pick up wickets, with Hayden Walsh claiming two run outs, the second with a phenomenal piece of fielding off his own bowling, managing to still throw the ball over the batsman’s head while diving on the ground.”

Knight – who scored his first 2nd XI league hundred at the age of 13, 11 years ago – added: “It was a great experience to lead the side for the first time.

“I have made around 490 runs this season and I am happy with that. It’s been a good season with the bat for me, getting the opportunity to score runs and playing my own game.

“We were in the bottom two a month ago and there were some strong words in the dressing room, telling each other we had to buck up our ideas, otherwise we would be going down.”

Tenterden’s form faces the sternest of tests in the final two games of the season. They face already-crowned champions Tunbridge Wells on Saturday, before finishing the season with a trip to Folkestone who will be confirmed runners-up if they beat Sibton Park this weekend.

Meanwhile, relegation bound Tenterden 2nds won for only the fourth time in the Premier Division this season, beating Hartley by four wickets.

Simon Berry led the way with 76 not out, including 13 fours.