Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Davis holds his nerve to ensure last-over win
Kent Cricket League
Canterbury returned to winning ways in Division 1 with a dramatic last-over victory against struggling Hayes at Polo Farm.
The hosts were able to defend a seemingly modest total of 148, amassed across 45 overs, with the 27 of Justin Macvicar and 26 from Max Campbell the highest contributions.
Campbell also impressed with the ball, claiming 3-22 from eight overs while Ben Cooper took 3-20 from 10 but it was a fine final over under pressure from Tom Davis which saw the visitors restricted to 145-9 from their 50 overs.
The victory dragged sixthplaced Canterbury back within 11 points of second place and the final promotion place behind runaway leaders Bickley Park in an incredibly tight battle behind the pace-setters.
In the same division, rockbottom Whitstable suffered a three-wicket defeat at HSBC.
Seven of the side failed to get out of single figures and only 55 from Tanzeela Rahmen and 45 each from former skipper Jake Guinan and current captain Stuart Sinclair ensured Whitstable were able to post 201 all-out from 49 overs.
The hosts were indebted to a superb 124 from opener Richard Golbourn for getting them to the line with 11 overs to spare, as Sinclair claimed 3-27 and Guinan and Scott Dale a further two wickets apiece, although HSBC made it over the line with three wickets remaining.
Their 10th defeat in 11 games left Whitstable 43 points adrift of safety.
James Widerstrom top scored with the bat and claimed three wickets against his former club to inspire St Lawrence & Highland Court to a 72-run win over Nonington to go joint top of Division 2.
Widerstrom cracked 40, while Graeme Tryon, Will Hilton and Jack Balsdon all passed 30. However, the visitors were bowled out for 216 with a ball of their 50 overs to spare.
Nonington were unable to build any significant partnerships and Dylan Emmett (3- 41) and 2-31 from Tryon put Saints in charge before Widerstrom (3-25) finished the hosts off.
The table is even tighter than Division 1 with just two points between the top-four with nine points separating first from sixth.
St Lawrence skipper Hilton said: “It’s tricky to describe what’s going on at the moment but we’re in the best place now – our job is now to make sure we keep it going.
“It’s a real yo-yo season when you can go from fifth to joint-first with one result. Consistency is key. We have four games coming up against sides below us and have to make the most of them before our run-in.”
Chestfield are well in the mix, in fourth spot, after Dylan Hunter steered them to a five-wicket win at Old Wilsonians, with both bat and ball.
The Australian first claimed 4-28 from 10 overs as the hosts were dismissed for 131 in 42 overs with Taylor Chandler taking 2-25.
The visitors were in a spot of trouble at 67- 4 in reply but Hunter cracked nine fours and a six in his unbeaten 66 to guide his side home with nearly 13 overs in hand.
Chris Streatfield claimed a superb 7-31 to help Faversham to a 48-run win at Bapchild in Division 5 – although the result was overshadowed by tragedy the following day.
Andy Perkin top scored with an unbeaten 38 and stand-in skipper Danny Haxton hit 30 as the visitors were bowled out for 141 inside 42 overs.
Streatfield then tore through the home order in 14 superb overs with Jamie Rigden claiming 3-31 to see off the middle order and boost Faversham’s hopes of a top-half finish.
The club was left in mourning, however, as vicecaptain Haxton passed away on Sunday night aged just 37.
Richard Legg hit 40 but Whitstable 2nds were thrashed by eight wickets with 25 overs to spare by Sandwich 2nds in 2nd XI Premier Division.
Ben Rutherford’s 40 was as good as it got for Canterbury 2nds who were bowled out for 136 on their way to a six-wicket defeat at Holmesdale in Division 1.
Lewis Jenkins cracked a superb 144 but St Lawrence & Highland Court 2nds were thwarted by Sidcup in Division 3. James Fowle also hit 77 as the hosts piled on 271-7 but the visitors clung on to reach 194-9 at the close for a losing draw.
Richard Tolson took 5-15 to help Chestfield 2nds overcome visiting Bexley 4ths by eight wickets after bowling them out for just 104 in Division 4.