Kentish Express Ashford & District
Win seals Minster’s title
Division 2
Minster clinched the Division 2 title with a nine-wicket victory over Orpington on Saturday.
The Islanders were already assured of promotion after beating OD CUACO last week but wanted to add the title on their home ground.
George Duggan’s side didn’t disappoint, dominating an Orpington side who sit in the relegation zone with two games remaining.
Fabian Cowdrey has made headlines for his batting this season but he was important with the ball at Gilbert Hall, taking 3-28 as the visitors were bowled out for 145.
Orpington were going along nicely at 83- 1 but with Kai Appleby (3-42) and Dan Masters (2-22) also among the wickets, hopes of a shock victory soon disappeared.
Duggan hit a rapid 56 off 30 balls, including six fours and five sixes, while Cowdrey was unbeaten on 62 as Minster knocked off the runs inside 20 overs.
Matt White’s brilliant century kept The Mote’s promotion bid alive.
Opener White batted through the 50 overs, finishing on 151 not out in a big victory over relegated Whitstable.
His knock came off 144 balls and included 22 fours as The Mote closed on 271-4.
He shared an opening stand of 116 with stand-in skipper Richard Coles (40) while Matt Luksich chipped in with an unbeaten 36 for the hosts.
Relegated Whitstable haven’t won a game all season and their luck didn’t improve here, either.
They were soon 25-2, Glen Aukett removing both openers on his way to figures of 4-58.
Tom Phillis made 26 in the middle order but with spinner Luksich collecting 2-4, Whitstable were 118 all out, with Fred Wratten unable to bat.
Victory by 153 runs sees The Mote climb to fourth place and keeps them in the hunt for an immediate return to Division 1.
They’ll have to do it the hard way, though, visiting champions Minster this weekend and finishing against promotion rivals Sidcup.
Sidcup are favourties to finish runners-up after all-but ending Ashford Town’s promotion bid.
There were solid scores from Calum Nash (42), Henry Walker (41), Sam Lockwood (37) and Casey Jerom (34) in a total of 238 against Town.
Simon Taylor took 3-69 for the hosts while Ben Allon, Liam Tegg and Peter Shields claimed two wickets apiece.
Opener Allon made 56 in reply and Luke Reeves added 32 but Ashford were bowled out for 202, beaten by 36 runs. James Dawes removed three of the top four – including skipper Allon.
Sidcup have a 24-point cushion over The Mote and are 30 points clear of Ashford.
OD CUACO remain third but can’t catch Sidcup as they only have one game left. They beat Old Wilsonians by four runs in their penultimate match.
A total of 228-6 was just about enough, with Wilsonians limited to 224-6 in reply.
A century from Malinda Thotiwilage proved in vain as Dartford lost to Chestfield by seven wickets.
He made exactly 100 but opening partner Geroge Reynolds (16) was the only other player to make double figures as Dartford collapsed to 146 all out.