Top flight place made safe

Tenterden

Sam Weller and Tom Richards bowled Tenterden to another impressive Premier Division victory – a 126-run success against Tunbridge Wells at The Nevill on Saturday.

Chris Vernon’s 81 and 74 off 61 balls by Ben Price – leading the side in place of injured skipper Tevis Knight – underpinned the visitors’ total of 253 before Weller (4-24) and Richards (3-25) dismantled the top order as the home side slumped to 48-6.

Wicketkeeper Robert Sehmi (45) delayed the inevitable before the last three wickets tumbled quickly, including one for young left-arm spinner Will Edwards, as Wells were dismissed for only 127.

The result secures the Morghew Park club’s place in the top flight next season. Tenterden sit third, 14 points behind second-placed Beckenham.

Price said: “Tom bowled his best spell at the club. Both he and Sam did fantastically well and the game was almost over in the first 10 overs.

“It wasn’t the easiest pitch to bat on but Chris anchored the innings well, allowing me to bat around him.”

Richards and Weller reduced Wells’ reply to a procession, the latter also running out Will Stickler backing up, while Price claimed three catches including a fine one-handed effort, full length in front of the slips.

Vernon and Price added 123 for third wicket, following the loss of Andrew Crawford and Bharat Popli.

Price was out to a fine catch at longoff, as Tenterden went from 176-2 to 250-8 in the space of 16 overs –including the loss of Vernon and Weller, who made a run-a-ball 29 with three fours and a six.

Tenterden 2nds moved a step closer to winning Division 1 with a 46-run home win over Gravesend 2nds.

Jimmy Collins hit 56 in a total of 217-6, before James Rand’s opening burst of 4-16 and Rob Sparks (3-23) helped dismiss the visitors for 171.

Sparks ran out the last man off the final ball of the penultimate over to win the game.

Price added: “It has been a brilliant season for the club, all built around local talent – and to have both teams playing in the Premier Division next season is a great achievement.”

Meanwhile, Knight fears his season is over after suffering a knee injury fielding in the win against Lordswood earlier this month.

He said: “I am due to have an MRI scan but it looks like a cartilage problem and doesn’t look good.

“I don’t think I will play again this season.”

‘Tom bowled his best spell at the club’

Picture: Alan Langley FM4465190 Woodchurch’s Gary Sargent on his way to 35 against Selling