INDOOR CRICKET: PROMOTION RACE A REAL NECK-AND-NECK BATTLE One spot up for grabs

With five weeks remaining, which indoor cricket team accompanies Chestfield into the top division of the Pharon League is anyone’s guess, writes Alan Bensted.

Six clubs are involved in a neck-andneck race for promotion, only four points separating Sturry 1, in second place, from Littlebourne at the bottom of the Second Division.

Most eye-catching performance of Sunday at the Kent Academy was Sturry’s thrashing of Sheldwich, It took them only six overs to reach a target of 77 – without losing a wicket.

Mainly responsible were the Jessups, Tom (21) and Kieran (29), both undefeated, and Kyle Smith.

Not for the first time, Kit Sims (32) had dominated Sheldwich’s innings.

Last at the start, Harbledown shot up to fourth, beating Margate by 26 runs. Harbledown totalled 106-4 thanks to Henry Roberts (29), Sam Fruin (23) and James Moss (16).

Despite the efforts of Josh Williamson (29not) and Tom Paris (24), Margate were held to 80-5, Fruin taking 2-13.

Chestfield openers Aaron Bennett (25ret) and Sam Hadlow (33not) laid the foundation of their three-wicket win – their ninth in a row – over Canterbury 2.

But after their retirements there were a few jitters in mid-innings as Chestfield chased a smallish total of 84-4. Four balls were left as Chestfield preserved their 100% record.

For Canterbury, James Mcvittie did best, retiring on 27.

With leaders Worth having the day off, competition for going up in just as keen (perhaps too keen) in Division 3.

An on-the-field fracas between players nearing the end of the match between CCCU3 and Faversham has been reported to the league’s disciplinary committee by the umpires.

After Faversham’s Mewett had carried his bat for 54 out of 84-5, CCCU’S Sam Joyce (27) led the students to a four-wicket victory with five overs to spare.

After Shastri (29), Ben Austin (26ret) and Ratnaweera (22not) had taken UCK2 to 1112, George Gooderham’s 32 was not enough to save Canterbury 3 from defeat. They were all out for 89.

Having lost to Street End 2 a fortnight earlier, Reculver gained revenge. Stephen Alexander (31not) and Aaron Ferris (29ret) shared a profitable partnership to take them to 114-3 before Street End were dismissed for 81.

Alexander took two wickets and the nimble Mark Bradley, fielding at mid-on, ran out three batsmen with direct throws at the stumps.

Results: Division 2:

Harbledown 106-4 (H. Roberts 29, S. Fruin 23, J, Moss 16); Margate 80-5 (J. Williamson 29 not, T Harris 24; S. Fruin 2-13). Harbledown won by 26 runs. Sheldwich 77 (K. Sims 32); Sturry 1 79-0 (T. Jessup 21 not, K. Jessop 20 not). Sturry won by six wickets. Canterbury 84-4 (J. Mcvittie 27 ret, P. Steer 18, N. Fox 21); Chestfield 85-3 (S. Hadlow 33 not, A, Bennett 25 ret). Chestfield won by three wickets.

Division 3

UKC 2 110-2 (A. Shastri 29 ret, B. Austin 26 ret, E. Ratnaweera 22 not); Canterbury 3 89 (G. Gooderham 32, D. Moore 17; N. Phagams 2-19). UKC won by 21 runs. Reculver 114-3 (S. Alexander 31 not, A. Ferris 28 ret). Street End 2 81 (E. Glover 21, S. Johi 16, A Dibiase 10; S. Alexander 2-21). Reculver won by 33 runs. Faversham 84-5 (Mewett 54 not); CCCU3 85-2 (S.joyce 27 not, M Hewitt 14). CCCU won by four wickets.

2.30pm Sheldwich v Chestfield 3.45pm Canterbruy 3 v Faversham; 5pm Worth v Sturry 2; 6.15pm UKC2 v Reculver; 7.30pm Street End 2 v CCCU 3.