Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Openers lay the platform for derby triumph
Kent Village League
Wingham beat neighbours Littlebourne to stay ahead in the race for the Division 1 title. Daniel Mchugh took 4-28 and Adam Cork 3-17 as third-placed Littlebourne were bowled out for 136 in 26.3 overs. A century stand between openers Josh Tutton (79) and Paul Bennett (39) set up Wingham’s victory. Josh Gould (6-39) had the leaders worried but they won by three wickets. Subhradeep De Saraker finished three runs short of a century in Harbledown’s big victory over nine-man Street End. The opener carried his bat for 97 as the visitors closed on 240-6, Paul Betts (2-30) the pick of the bowlers. Street End were bowled out for 91 in the 23rd over, Harry Wren scoring 24 of his 27 runs in boundaries before becoming one of Sam Curd’s three wickets, Harbledown winners by 149 runs. Opener James Creed helped Sheldwich to a 129-run victory against Elham Valley. He hit 10 fours in a knock of 70 while Matt Hammond added 49 as Sheldwich closed on 263-7. Ian Hulks claimed impressive figures of 4-10 in 5.4 overs, Valley all out for 134. Selling showed why they are top of Division 2 – bowling out Worth for only 28. Mark Latham (4-9) and Tom Simmonds (3-13) did the damage, with the Worth innings finished in 14 overs. Selling lost openers Priyal De Zoysa and Dan Lawrence without scoring but completed a sevenwicket victory in 6.4 overs. Second-placed Tyler Hill beat Meopham by six wickets. Karl Sutcliffe (4-68) and Gary Rowlands (3-21) combined as Meopham were bowled out for 185. Brett Marshall saw Tyler Hill home with 87 not out, a knock including nine sixes and five fours. In Division 4, Lewis Caruana scored a century as Wingham 2nds beat Harrietsham by 46 runs. He contributed 103 to a total of 220-7, then Harry Bowman (3-29) and Mike Caruana (3-27) ended Harrietsham’s reply on 174. Norton Sports limped to 72 all out in a nine-wicket defeat by Saltwood, while Exiles at Stelling Minnis conceded against Mersham Sports. In Division 5, Boughton-underBlean chased down Linton Park’s total of 210-9. Opener Dave Carter (79) played the key knock as Boughton won by four wickets. Littlebourne 2nds toiled in the field as Kings Hill put on 265 without loss. They were held to 156-9 in reply, beaten by 111 runs. Harbledown stayed out of the bottom two thanks to a 36-run success against Bilsington. Defending 184-6, William Halliday took 5-21 as Bilsington were held to 148-7. Chestfield piled on the runs against Division 6 strugglers Loose & Leeds. Jason Robson top scored with 96 from 90 balls while Aaron Bennett smashed 67 off 20, including seven fours and five sixes, to see the visitors to 312-5. Kieran Thompson (5-21) was the key bowler as Leeds made 203-9, Chestfield winners by 109 runs. Sturry suffered a one-wicket defeat against Sherwood. Matthew Radley made 47 as Sturry posted 173-7, Sherwood eding home with three balls to spare.