KENT REGIONAL LEAGUE: OPENERS PAVE THE WAY IN DOMINANT DISPLAY

An unbeaten 154 from opener David Harman helped Mersham to their third win of the season in the Premier Division, against the Roebucks on Saturday. Harman shared a first-wicket stand of 186 with Kyle McAlister (95) as the home side rattled up 330-2 from their 46 overs and then dismissed The Roebucks for 208 (Ashley Cook 4-31) to triumph by 122 runs. The result leaves Mersham in fourth spot but they are just 10 points behind leaders Dartfordians. Boughton & Eastwell ended Wye’s winning start in 1A East, dismissing their Ashford neighbours for just 79. Only three Wye batsmen reached double figures as Craig Mannering (4-18 in eight overs), Ian Thomas (2-19 in 10) and Mohammed Usman (2-24 in 10) did the damage. Led by David Gray (39) and Daniel Newman (22), Boughton reached 45-1 in reply before Matt Barnes (3-22 in 10 overs) and Steve Dagys (2-4 in three) induced a mid-innings wobble which meant the home side were five down when victory was achieved in the 31st over. The win lifted Boughton up to second just nine points behind leaders Littlebourne. Kennington were involved in a low-scoring game with Folkestone 3rds, more than half of whose modest total of 86 came from the bat of young opener Ben Niewoudt (46). He was the only Folkestone batsman to reach double figures as Jeremy Grove (3-21), Jamie Carroll (2-13), Matthew Dale (2-13) and Ben Creed (1-34) shared the wickets. Bradlee Sharpe (22) and Chris Drakeley (21) led Kennington’s reply but the hosts lost five wickets getting home in the 19th over. Half-centuries from Steve Edge (64) and Jamie McVittie (59 not out) guided Mersham 2nds to an eight-wicket win over Deal Victoria & Barns Close 2nds in 2A East. The pair shared a second-wicket partnership of 130 as Mersham passed the Vics total of 161-8 in the 35th over. James Foot had earlier bowled an excellent spell, taking 3-17 from 12 overs, including five maidens. Ben Edge took 2-12 and Geoffrey Fagg 2-40. Mersham are now up to third. Stowting were skittled for 99 (Stephen Jackson 22) by East Langdon on their way to a sevenwicket defeat in 1B East. Langdon knocked off the runs in 15.1 overs. Willesborough (186-6) were beaten by eight wickets in 2B East at Herne Bay who chased down their target inside 30 overs. Boughton & Eastwell 2nds conceded their 1C East game away to Exiles-at-Stelling Minnis.