TENTERDEN: DU PLOOY IMPRESSES IN DEFEAT

Leus Du Plooy’s century was in vain as Tenterden went down by 12 runs against Bexley in the Shepherd Neame Kent League, Premier Division at Morghew Park on Saturday. The 22-year-old South African all-rounder hit six sixes and five fours in his 124, before being last out with two balls left to a catch by Kent spinner Adam Riley. Seamer Michael Robinson had inflicted earlier damage on the home reply to finish with 4-46. It was du Plooy’s fourth league hundred for the club, following his return after a successful debut season in 2015, when he scored more than 700 runs, Batting at No.3, he walked in at 42-1, following the loss of opener Chris Vernon who made 32 of them (six fours) and dominated the rest of the innings as Tenterden fell just short, having been set 287 to win. Skipper Ben Price won the toss and put the visitors in, Arub Jain hitting an unbeaten 98 with nine fours and three sixes and opener Calum Basey 60 in a total of 286-5. Ryan Knight (35) and James Rand (21) added 53 for the ninth wicket to help the 2nds recover from 89-8 to 142 all out on their way to a five-wicket defeat in the reverse fixture in the 2nd XI Premier Division. Knight hit four fours in his 60-ball knock, while Rand offered good support facing 51 deliveries. The 3rds’ Kent Regional League debut was delayed after opponents Ashford Town conceded. This weekend they travel to Exiles at Stelling Minnis, who have won their opening two games. Seamer Tom Richards was included in the Kent 2nds side to face Somerset in the three-day County Championship match at Taunton this week.