Solid scores lay foundations for win

Canterbury 1sts comfortably beat Folkestone at Polo Farm in Kent Cricket League Division 1 on Saturday. Jarred Lysaught top-scored for Canterbury with 47, supported by Lewis White (42) and Duncan Moore (38), in their 232 all out. Folkestone’s best bowler was Shahab Sheikh, who ended with figures of 4-34. In reply, Chris Jay (34) topscored for Folkestone but they lost by 89 runs thanks to good work from Euan Munday (3-11), White (2-19) and Oliver Hills (2-16).

St Lawrence and Highland Court 1sts beat Bromley by three wickets on Saturday. The wickets were shared around between Michael Edwards (3-18), Ben Trott (2-24) and Jamie Hemphrey (2-42) to restrict Bromley to 145 all out. In reply, Michael Hales Jr hit 60 not out to see them home. In Division 2, Whitstable 1sts collected six points despite losing by 17 runs to OD Cuaco. Whitstable restricted OD Cuaco to 195 all out in their 47th over, Joshua Lock (3-22), Will Cook (3-28) and Stuart Drakeley (2-38) did the bulk of the work in the field.

In reply, skipper Sam Denly (27) top-scored but they fell short.

Chestfield 1sts tied a thrilling match against Bexleyheath in Division 3.

Opener Matthew Nordin (40) top-scored for Chestfield in their 179 all out while Charlie Monk (3-40) and Alex Mccann (2-34) impressed for Bexleyheath. Chestfield’s defence relied heavily upon Finlay Mcgrath (5-36) and Oliver Smith (4-34) who helped them to a dramatic finish as they tied the game. In 2nd XI Division 1, Canterbury eased to an eightwicket win over Folkestone. Ben Cooper took 4-15 to keep Folkestone to 125 all out, as Archie Richardson (31) topscored for them.

Ben Line’s 54 not out saw Canterbury home, supported by Aaron Hopkins’ 25 not out, including five boundaries. Tom Shaw’s 60 wasn’t enough to see St Lawrence 2nds to victory against Bickley Park in the same league.

Joseph Payne took 4-27 from his 10 overs but Bickley Park earned a four-wicket win with just under two overs to spare, largely thanks to 65 from opener Matt Russell. Whitstable 2nds hammered 305 on their way to a big win against The Mote in Division 2. Harry Fulton hit 118 while Bart Johnson (64), Daniel Pilbeam (49) and Scott Dale (36 not out) played supporting roles during their 305-7. The reply saw Joe Clements (3-24), Nathan Weekes (2-33) and Albi Maddison (2-53) do enough for Whitstable who kept The Mote to 213-8. Chestfield 2nds were beaten by 15 runs at New Beckenham in Division 3.

Brian Moody-smith (4-12) and Neil Gowers (3-20) were their best bowlers as they kept New Beckenham to 176 all out after exactly 50 overs.

Their reply got off to a good start but nobody built on the platform set by Sebastian Camp (40 not out), Neil Gowers (28) and Jacob Couzens (21) as they were 161 all out.