Gould in seventh heaven as rivals are routed for just 23

Kent Regional League

Littlebourne’s Graham Gould produced a devastating bowling display as Canterbury 3rds were bowled out for just 23. Canterbury were chasing 242-4 but got nowhere near as Gould swept through the line-up. He returned figures of 7-15 and also ran out opener Barnaby Blackwell for a duck. Richard Durrant, the Canterbury skipper, was his side’s leading run scorer, with seven. Earlier the 1A East leaders Littlebourne had batted well, with big scores for Sully Gould (86), Byron Gould (46) and Josh Gould (57 not out). Gary Laslett and Luke Larkins hit half centuries in a narrow win for Ash on Saturday. Batting first, Ash posted 212-8 against Sandwich Town 3rds, enough to claim an eight-run victory over the Championship East basement side. Ash opener George Laslett made 40 runs before being trapped leg before. In reply, Town were restricted to 204-9. Sheldwich won a low-scoring game against Gore Court 3rds, winning by just two runs. Scott Brown was Sheldwich’s top scorer, with 18, as they set Gore Court a target of 83 to chase. Court put on 35 for the first wicket but they soon faded. Littlebourne 2nds lost by six wickets to Cobham in 2A East. Batting first, Bourne were bowled out for 80 and may have had a chance of still winning had it not been for Elliott Marshall’s 41 in reply. He was the only Cobham man to get past 10 runs. Sturry won by just two runs against Elham Valley in 1B East. David Hards (61 not out) and Alex Busby (55) were Sturry’s top scorers as they posted 206-7 off 40 overs. Relegation-threatened Elham Valley came close, reaching 204-9 before the close. Street End were bowled out for 123 as they chased 193-4 against Hythe Green. Ash 2nds (141-5) lost by 49 runs to Sandwich Town 4ths in 2B East. Whitstable 3rds suffered a blow to their promotion hopes after losing by 29 runs against Nelson 2nds. Nelson batted first and posted 198-9 which they successfully defended. In reply, Sudarsharn Pillalamarri (34), John Butterworth (45) and Fraser Coupe (42) batted well but the team came up short. Herne Bay were bowled out for just 86 in pursuit of Willesborough’s 168-8. Bay’s leading batsmen had a shocker, with four ducks and just a single run from opener Jeremy Taylor. No.6 Andrew Alder managed to offer at least some resistance with 35. Exiles at Stelling Minnis took 20 points after opponents Boughton & Eastwell conceded.