Youth and experience combo beat The Mote
Kent League
Kent’s past and present made the difference as The Mote lost their Division 1 opener at Bromley.
Former Pakistan bowler Yasir Arafat, who played for the county in 2008, took four wickets while youngster Imran Qayyum claimed two as relegated Bromley won by 32 runs.
Mote captain Alex Fordham said: “We were the better side for 75% of the game.
“We were probably one partnership away from winning. In the end the two professionals made the difference.
“Arafat was one of the best bowlers in the world at one time.
“He looked pretty ordinary in his first spell but bowled well in his second and ended up with four wickets and Imran Qayyum is on the cusp of things at Kent.”
The Mote worked hard to restrict Bromley to 242-7, spinner Will Thirkell leading the way with 3-57.
Tom Harvey went for just one run in reply, but a century stand between overseas player Gerry Fatouros (71) and Matt White (48) put them in a good position.
Both men fell to Qayyum as The Mote went from 126-1 to 210 all out.
Fordham’s side have gone close to promotion for the past two years and are at home to Bromley Common on Saturday (noon).
Fordham said: “Hopefully we’ll be there or thereabouts.
“We’ve just not been quite good enough the last couple of years.
“You don’t have to be the best side in the division to get promoted.
“Holmesdale showed last year that by having a team with a solid core who enjoy spending time together, it can take you a long way if you get a few results and build momentum.
“The openers, Tom Harvey and Matt White, are talking about how to approach the first 10 overs.
“We need to be making good starts and it’s important to score well in the middle overs, between 11 and 40. The days when 250 would be enough to win are gone.”
In Division 3, Leeds & Broomfield batted out a losing draw at Ashford Town.
Charlie Luxton claimed 4-54 as Ashford closed on 274- 6.
Leeds’ top six didn’t fire but half-centuries from George Davis (76) and Neil Dibben (53 not out) helped them to 231-8.
In Division 4, Offham cruised to a seven-wicket win over Rainham.
Harry Legg (5-24) and Nigel Stoodley (3-28) starred as Rainham slumped to 68 all out.
Offham lost three cheap wickets but Luke Harcourt (30 not out) and Daniel Gilbert (21 not out) saw them home in the 22nd over.
Addington Village were out for 81 in a 70-run defeat by Downham & Bellingham.
Harry Grinstead (5-55) and Adam Dooley (4-38) combined to bowl out Downham for 151, but only Jake Marshall (30) fired in reply.
In 2nd XI action, The Mote lost their Division 1 game against Bromley by 31 runs.
Bromley closed on 206-9, Conor Davis with 4-29. Opener Kraig Corke hit 57 but The Mote were out for 175.
Addington Village took the points in Division 4 after Catford Wanderers conceded.
In Division 5, tail-ender Graham Razey hit 84 from 64 balls as Offham beat Harvel.
His knock included 15 fours and a six and helped his side to 210.
Andrew Harcourt (4-16) and Simon Hallbrook (3-8) ran through 10-man Harvel, the hosts 81 all out.