Littlebourne almost there

Kent Regional League

Littlebourne edged ever closer to the Championship East title after a crushing 206-run win over Sandwich 3rds. Buzz Gould scored 55 of the first 64 before Sully Gould (83) and Phil Ritson (63) shared a thirdwicket stand of 159. Robbie Loomer then added an unbeaten 63 batting at No.8 to lift the total to 327-9. Sandwich were 121 all out in reply, Josh Gould taking 3-24 from 12 overs. Littlebourne head the table by 30 points fom Borstal with two rounds to go. Ash – in fourth – slipped to a sixwicket defeat to St Margaret’s after being dismissed for 107. Sheldwich edged to an eightrun over The Mote 3rds in 1A Central and are fourth. Dan Ray (49) and James Creed (41) top scored in the Sheldwich total of 175-6 and in reply, The Mote made 167-6. Alex Roe was the pick of the Sheldwich attack claiming 3-19. Canterbury 3rds suffered a 147-run defeat to Saltwood in 1A East. They were bowled out for 107 after their visitors had amassed 254-6 (Rob Marsh 4-38). They are now down to fourth, 38 points adrift of secondplaced Deal Vics. Sturry also experienced a difficult afternoon with the bat being dismissed for 97 by 1B East promotion rivals Hythe Green. The villagers, playing two short, had earlier seen their hosts compile 198-7 (Dave Hards 5-39). Sturry stay second but are just three points clear of Hythe Green. Exiles-at-stelling Minnis eased to a nine-wicket success over Littlebourne 3rds to maintain their promotion push in 1C East. Dave Cope took 4-24 as Bourne were dismissed for 71 and Richard Collins then hit 43 not out to ease the Exiles home in 10.1 overs. Exiles are second, a point clear of Nelson and 10 in front of Grasmere Park. The two chasing sides met each other with Park being dismissed for 107 by Nelson after openers Blake Davies (26) after Joe Wall (25) had given them a solid start. However, that total proved enough as the home side were bowled out for 77 in reply. Nigel Weller took 3-23 in nine overs, with Jimmy Huffer taking 2-9 and Stuart Shaw 2-14. Steve Laslett (74) top scored for Ash 2nds as they made 162-8 against leaders Tenterden 3rds. Roger Dunn hit 35 and Liam Durrant 33. Laslett (3-33) then impressed with the ball but could not prevent Tenterden getting home by four wickets. Littlebourne 2nds were reduced to 55 all out by Walmer 2nds who had earlier totalled 148-8 (Stuart Mears 3-38) in 2A East. Herne Bay received a walkover against St Margaret’s 2nds in 2B East as did leaders Street End against Sandwich 4ths. Whitstable 3rds conceded against Northdown.