Openers provide solid foundation

Kent Regional Lge

Fifties from both openers set Littlebourne on their way to a 52-run win over Ash as they strengthened their position at the top of 1A East on Saturday.

Owen Holton (51) and Sully Gould ( 52) were the main contributors in the Littlebourne total of 210 all out.

Any fears such a total might prove inadequate soon faded as Ash lost early wickets and struggled throughout against the bowling of Shaun and Robbie Loomer and Graham Gould.

Only an unbeaten 71 from Steve Laslett ensured a measure of respectability for Ash, who were dismissed for 158.

It was a similar story in the match between the clubs’ second teams in League 2B East, where Littlebourne enjoyed an even more emphatic success.

Andy Coleman (68), Robert Lawson (37) and Steve Davies (34) all made useful scores as Littlebourne made 208-7 in their 40 overs.

The Ash response was poor and they were bowled out for 74, the wickets being shared between all six bowlers as Littlebourne won by 134-run victory.

Back in 1A East, bottom-placed Street End endured another miserable afternoon.

Folkestone 3rds made 259-7 from their 46 overs, a score that was always going to be far beyond the capabilities of Street End, who were dismissed for 135 in the 124-run defeat.

In a wretched weekend for the club, Street End failed to put out a team against St Margaret’s in League 1C East and were docked five points as they conceded.

Canterbury 3rds’ top four all made starts but failed to go on to the substantial score that their side needed against Ramsgate Corinthian in League 1A East.

Jason Robson (45), Luke Harris (31), Greg Holland (44) and Daniel Nunnes (44) scored the bulk of the runs in Canterbury’s 203-8 from 46 overs, an innings that subsided in its later stages as Corinthian second-string bowler Andrew Signorell returned his best-ever figures of 4-20.

Corinthian knocked off the runs with six wickets and almost five overs in hand. Sturry beat Willesborough by six wickets in League 2B East, Frank Wrench taking 4-20 as Willesborough made 168-9 in their 40 overs.

David Gentry top scored with 47 not out as Sturry eased to their target with more than seven overs to spare.

In the same division, Herne Bay suffered a disappointing afternoon as they were bowled out by Nelson 2nds for 69, just three batsmen reaching double figures.

Nelson made their target with ease, scoring the runs in less than 16 overs.

Life was easier for Herne Bay 2nds, whose opponents Ashford Town 3rds conceded their 1C East tie.

It was a similarly disappointing scenario for second- placed Whitstable 3rds, who took 20 points without taking to the field as New Romney & Littlestone conceded.

Picture: Matt Bristow FM3902967 Egerton’s Neil Harper is bowled for six by Ross Kennard, of Sheldwich, in their Kent Village League, Division 1 game. It was the only game to beat the weather in the top flight