Birch ton at heart of win

Kent Village Lge

Wingham reclaimed the Kent Village League, Division 1 title after crushing Street End by nine wickets on the final day on Sunday. Sacha Azizi hit 68 in Street End’s total of 199 but the hosts showed their class with Daniel Birch cracking 103 to guide his side over the line for the loss of just one wicket. Wingham finished the season on 70 points, 14 clear of runners-up Ash who were handed a walkover by Sheldwich. In the same division, Greig Shields hit an unbeaten 91 for Harbledown as they edged to a three-wicket win against Elham Valley after restricting the visitors to 174-9. That win put Harbledown fifth. Richard Keir hit 62 for Tyler Hill but they went down by 117 runs at Linton Park in Division 2. The visitors were restricted to 151-9 chasing an imposing 268-6. Wingham 2nds conceded their Division 4 game at Kingsnorth while in Division 5, Andy Coleman’s 62 helped Littlebourne 2nds post a total of 209 at Eastchurch, who Bourne then bowled out for 130 in reply. Rupert George took 5-33 for Harbledown 2nds in the same division but his side were edged out by a single wicket at great Chart 2nds, who just passed the visitors’ 136-7. Boughton-under-blean suffered a 72-run loss at Rolvenden, being restricted to 181-9 chasing the hosts’ 253-5. Daniel James took 5-7 as Chestfield hammered Sturry by 211 runs in Division 6. The big win was built on the back of Jamie Dowkes’ 105 and Arron Bennett’s 65 in their total of 296-7 before James ensured the visitors were skittled for just 85.