Vernon’s first hundred in vain

Tenterden

Chris Vernon’s first hundred of the season was the highlight as Tenterden slipped to a fivewicket defeat at home to leaders Beckenham on Saturday.

The opener hit 15 fours in his 107 out of a total of 232-7, with Johan Malcolm’s unbeaten 77 leading the visitors’ successful reply as they chase their first Premier Division title since 1983.

Both teams were without their Kent players, with Adam Ball and Alex Blake named in the T20 squad for the season’s opener against Essex the following day.

Tenterden skipper Ben Price won the toss and batted but was first out, adjudged caught and bowled for 19 with the total on 42.

Leus du Plooy missed out on a fifth successive half-century, caught behind for 15, before Linden Lockhart joined Vernon in a third-wicket stand of 123, ended when Lockhart fell for 51.

Vernon reached his hundred but was then bowled, Andrew Crawford (26 not out) attempted to maintain the momentum, although wickets fell at the other end as Tenterden fell short of a par score.

Beckenham openers Chris Isles and skipper Alex Senn settled in, putting on 62 in 14 overs, before left-arm spinner Ranjit Singh was introduced into the attack.

He had Iles (45) caught behind by Price, then Will MacVicar went to the same combination, two balls later.

Senn (26) went in Singh’s next over, leaving the visitors 84-3.

Kent Academy wicket-keeper Ollie Robinson, named last week in the England under-19 squad to face India, made 35, before being held by Price off du Plooy (158-4).

Sam Weller removed Adam Senn (21) to make it 192-5 but Malcolm (eight fours and a six) stayed to win the game in the penultimate over.

The defeat drops Tenterden one place to fifth, ahead of the trip to second-placed Bexley on Saturday.

A fine all-round performance earned Tenterden 2nds a 152-run win in the corresponding fixture at Foxgrove Road.

Ben Daking (90), Alistair Burge (68 not out) and Harrison Wells (51) all featured in a total of 267-3, before the bowlers got to work, dismissing Beckenham for only 115. Reuben Collingwoood (3-25) and Scott Freeman (2-10) accounted for the top order, before Sam Jones and Luke Mangold whipped out the tail.