Kentish Express Ashford & District
Appleby seals promotion
Division 2
Minster clinched promotion to Division 1 with three games to spare after victory at OD CUACO.
They still need one more win to clinch the title but back-to-back promotions are in the bag after Saturday’s three-wicket success.
Dan Masters starred with 6-19 as CUACO were wiped out for 107.
Minster struggled with the bat in tough conditions but got over the line, thanks to an unbeaten 48 off 56 balls from Kai Appleby.
There were two wickets apiece for Jamie Batten, Chris Webster and Rohan Patel as OD CUACO threatened a shock win.
Minster captain George Duggan said: “The pitch was wet and if we won the toss we had decided to bowl so it was perfect for us when they batted, after winning the toss.
“We took wickets off them regularly and Dan Masters came back in to blow away their tail.
“We came out after tea chasing 107 but it was like a snake pit.
“Kai Appleby batted as if we was on a complete different pitch to the others. It was a good knock but it wasn’t easy for us.”
There’s all to play for in the race for the second promotion spot.
It’s currently held by Sidcup with three games to play but Ashford and The Mote are realistic challengers.
OD CUACO and Dartford, however, are probably out of contention having played an extra game.
Ashford held second place before Saturday’s matches but dropped to third – 19 points behind Sidcup – after losing at Chestfield by 77 runs.
Phil Woodger ( 3- 32) and Liam Tegg (3-24) combined as Chestfield were bowled out for 183 in the final over.
Opener Dominic Chambers made 38 while 28 extras boosted the total.
Ashford lost openers Tegg and Andy Allon cheaply, setting the tone of the reply.
Peter Shields hit 34 but that was as good as it got as Town collapsed to 106 all out, Jago Pearson ( 4- 23) and Duncan Brown (3-7) doing the damage.
The Mote have fresh hope after their seven-wicket victory over Orpington.
They have 24 points to make up but know three wins could see them promoted. That said they’ll have to do it the hard way as, after hosting relegated Whitstable this weekend, they finish the season against Minster and Sidcup.
Skipper James Marriott is up for the challenge. He said: “Results in the league went for us, so with three games to play it is really is in our hands if we want to go up.
“This will mean beating the top two sides in the division but what a way to go up.
“It is really important that we have good availability and the club turns out to support us in our final few games. I really do think we can do this.”
Glen Aukett finished with brilliant figures of 2-5 from 10 overs as Orpington were held to 165-8.
The visitors were 80-7 at one stage but an unbeaten 60 from experienced captain David Robinson gave them something to bowl at.
The Mote lost Richard Coles off the first ball of their reply and Matthew White followed to leave them 15-2.
But Chris Back excelled in his new role at No.3, making a match-winning 77 not out while Marriott – dropped on nought – added 44.
Daniel Corbett made an unbeaten century in Sidcup’s six-wicket win at Old Wilsonians.
Dartford eased to a nine-wicket victory at home to Whitstable.
Thomas Glass-Burgess (3-14) was the pick of the bowlers as Whitstable were all out for 125 (Aaron Garvey 40).
Malinda Thotiwilage (59 not out) and Andrew Martin (53) put on 120 for the first wicket as Dartford raced to victory.