Kentish Express Ashford & District
Captain set for month out
Ashford Town
Skipper Sam Kennett looks set to be out for at least month after suffering a back injury as leaders Ashford Town continued their unbeaten Division 3 start with an 11-run win at Sidcup.
Kennett broke down after one ball of his fifth over and a trip to the doctor on Monday morning confirmed a torn muscle.
He said: “Something snapped under my armpit and I was in a lot of pain. I studied sports therapy for my degree and knew something was wrong.
“It looks like I will be out for three to four weeks.”
Kennett’s injury took the gloss of a sixth successive win, which put Town 30 points clear of Saturday’s hosts Chestfield – a game which could have a big bearing on the title, with the season only seven-weeks-old.
The skipper added: “We thought Chestfield would be one of the better sides in the league. It’s a massive game and if we win that, it could open up a big gap at the top.”
Peter Shields contributed with both bat and ball and also took a crucial catch at Sidcup.
Luke Reeves hit 45, before a midinnings dip left Town struggling at 119-7. Shields then came to the rescue with an unbeaten 49, steering Town to 195-8.
He then picked up two wickets, before holding onto a skier at deep mid-wicket to help dismiss home dangerman, Sri Lankan overseas recruit Pasan Weeraratne for 20.
Kennett said: “Peter was fantastic all day. He would probably bat and five or six in other sides but it shows the strength in depth we have got in the side.
Craig Buckham claimed his second four-wicket haul in successive weeks but Henry Walker’s 51 ensured a tight finish before Luke Reeves’ pressure catch in the deep accounted for him to win the game.
Gary Sutton hit 115 for Ashford 2nds in a total of 238-7 but still ended up on the losing side in an eight-wicket home Division 5 defeat to Harvel (240-2).