Kentish Express Ashford & District
Openers’ effort in vain
Ashford Town
A disappointing batting display pushed Ashford Town a step closer to relegation.
Their seven-wicket defeat at Gravesend in Kent League Division 2 on Saturday and rivals Nonington’s second successive win leaves second-from-bottom Town 22 points behind Old Wilsonians ahead of their last two games.
Ashford are away to bottom club Hythe this weekend, before a last day meeting at home to leaders Bickley Park.
Openers Tim Hambridge (40) and skipper Liam Tegg (41) gave Town a solid start but only three other players made double figures in a total of 165. A total of 28 extras, including 22 wides, boosted the total.
The home side needed only 26.3 overs to reach their target.
Skipper Aaron Johnson led the way with an unbeaten half-century, with Town’s bowlers suffering.
Town 2nds, also second from bottom in their table, have work still to do to stay in Division 5.
They are only six points ahead of bottom-side Betteshanger who they meet at Stacians Park on Saturday.
Bettes closed the gap with a sixwicket win at Halstow, while Town batted out for a draw at home to Bapchild. Darren Cooper took 4-43 in the visitors’ total of 193-7, but Town’s reply got off to a poor start.
They lost three quick wickets before finishing well behind on 129-7.