Sub duo make the difference

Bat & trap

Premiership leaders Artichoke A went down 2-1 to Dover Castle in the Canterbury & District League. A double substitution by Castle in the second leg proved crucial. No.7 Phil Thompson hit 23 runs, while second sub Matt Tuff hit three traps to take the leg. Dove Inn B stay second as they also lost 2-1, to Catholic Club, and missed the chance to close the five-point gap at the top. Catholic Club’s Alan Spratt hit 44 runs and Brett Lee 35 in the third leg. Martin Whale took four traps. Golden Lion A moved third with a 2-0 win over Golden Lion B, while Gentil Knyght C took the three points with a 2-0 home success over Littlebourne Rec. Ben Foster hit 39 runs for the Knyghts, while Littlebourne’s James Edwards replied with 31 runs and three traps. In Division 1, the top four are separated by a point, with Smugglers B topping the group after a 2-0 victory over Market Inn A. Second-placed Black Pig also had a 2-0 victory, with Wayne Catherall hitting 53 runs and Nathan Stout taking three traps. Gentil Knyght B won 2-1 at the Castle A with Steve Nolan starring with 34 runs and five traps. Compasses beat Market Inn B 2-0 in Faversham. Division 2 leaders Faversham Town FC defeated Castle B 2-0 – Alan Coleman with four traps and Jake Stebbeds with three, inflicting the damage. Kestrels remain third with a 2-0 victory over Shipwright Arms despite Phil Taylor’s 20 runs in the second leg. Adam Edwards hit 58 runs, including a 32 not out in the second leg. This helped his Red Lion A side to their first points of the season as they won 2-1 to Alma A. Evenhill Crusaders A defeated the club’s B side.

On Sunday, Kestrels play the second leg of the Invicta Cup against Medway side Warren Wood at the Golden Lion pub in Broad Oak (2pm). Kestrels trail 3-2 from the first leg.

Leaders Golden Lion defeated Castle B 2-0 In Division 1 of the ladies’ league, while three traps from Nikki Sillence assisted Kings Head B in their 2-0 win against Golden Oldies. In Division 2, Ye Olde Beverlie beat Red Lion A 2-0 with Lucy Abraham scoring 27 runs in the second leg for the winners. Artichoke defeated Kings Head A 2-0. In the semi-finals of the Cackett Cup, Golden Lion beat Castle A 2-0 and Red Lion B edged Kings Head B 2-1. The final is at Market Inn on August 17.