Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Smith ton keeps Ash in the hunt
Kent Village League
Jake Smith’s century helped secondplaced Ash beat rivals Littlebourne in Division 1 of the Kent Village League.
George Laslett took three wickets as Littlebourne were held to 181-9 in 40 overs.
Opener Smith saw his side to a fivewicket victory, finishing on 100 not out.
Leaders Wingham continued their title push with a big victory over Leeds & Broomfield.
James Widerstrom (92) and George Finch (58) guided Wingham to 280-9.
They won by 127 runs with 3-37 for Adam Cork as Leeds were bowled out for 153.
Paul Betts made 118 in Street End’s victory at Elham Valley, sharing a second-wicket stand of 130 with Sacha Azizi (49) in a total of 229-2.
Valley were restricted to 166-6 in reply, Street End winners by 63 runs.
Will Hilton also made a century as Sheldwich beat Great Chart by eight wickets.
His unbeaten 100 included 11 fours and seven sixes, with Sheldwich comfortably meeting a target of 149.
Harbledown collapsed to 79 all out in a seven-wicket defeat by Bapchild.
Sixty-seven-year-old batsman Tim Gower made his highest score for Selling.
He hit 77 from 120 balls, with nine sixes, as the Division 2 leaders posted 191-8 against Meopham.
Tom Simmonds (3-32) was the key bowler as Meopham were bowled out four runs short on 187.
Second-placed Tyler Hill won a lowscoring game at Challock.
Defending 99, there were three wickets each for Richard Keir and Matt Bates as Challock were dismissed for 72.
Norton Sports suffered their third defeat in a row in Division 4, losing to Kingsnorth by 107 runs.
Ten-man Norton slipped to 40-5 in reply to 251-3.
There were tail-end runs for Barry Hopper (37), Trevor Laslett (17) and Shaun Edwards (20 not out) but they were all out for 144.
Bottom side Exiles at Stelling Minnis conceded to Saltwood.
Andy Coleman’s century led Littlebourne 2nds to victory in Division 5.
The opener made 150 not out against New Ifield as Bourne closed on 244-2.
They won by 90 runs, with the visitors all out for 154.
Boughton-under-blean suffered a 227-run defeat at High Halstow.
The hosts declared on 345-6 before bowling out Boughton for 122.
Harbledown 2nds beat Little Chart by 87 runs. They had work to do after closing on 169-7.
And Stephen Baines (3-12) and Henry Roberts (3-25) delivered, with Chart 82 all out.
Division 6 high-fliers Sturry won a close game against Hythe Green by seven runs. David Hards took 3-25 as Hythe were bowled out for 109 in reply to 116-9.
Chestfield took the points after Kennington conceded.