Kentish Express Ashford & District
De Plooy makes dream debut
Tenterden
Leus de Plooy hit an unbeaten century and claimed six wickets in a stunning debut to help Tenterden claim their second Division 1 win of the season – a 74-run success over Bickley Park.
The 20-year-old South African’s arrival had been delayed for a month due to his accountancy studies at university but he wasted no time in making an impact, leading his new team to a crucial 20-point maximum which lifted them out of the bottom two.
Skipper Tevis Knight said: “Leus was on another level with bat and ball, he couldn’t have fitted in better on-and-off the pitch.
“The thing that stood out for me was the maturity he showed for one so young.
“It was a vital win for us and we now need to take the momentum into our next game against HSBC at Beckenham on Saturday.
De Plooy announced his arrival at the crease with an impressive back foot drive for four, the first of three boundaries off the first five deliveries he faced, going on to hit 12 in total in his 109 not out in the home side’s total of 246-9. Ryan Knight (31) and Darryl Carter (21) helped him in two important stands.
Park reached 69-1 in reply before James Rand made the breakthrough with his first ball, then de Plooy came on to inspire a collapse on his way to figures of 6-22 in 11 overs, including four maidens.
Knight claimed the last two wickets, with the visitors all out for 173.
De Plooy said: “It was just one of those days when everything went right. I was a little bit tense before my first game playing in conditions different to those at home and not knowing what to expect.
“Everyone has been welcoming. Tevis wanted me to bowl with the slope but I favoured the other end to help put doubt in the batters’ mind.”
It worked with two leg before decisions, a stumping and another caught at slip,
Skipper Tim Russell hit 62 as Tenterden 2nds (195-9) lost by four wickets, in the reverse fixture – Park scoring 198-6.
‘One of those days when everything
went right’