Saunders a big hit in win

Division 3

Game of the day was at

Leeds Castle, where Harvel chased down 234 to maintain the division’s only unbeaten record.

Their hosts Leeds & Broomfield won the toss, elected to bat and would have been reasonably happy with 233 all out.

Fred Roberts (39), George Davis (27) and Max Aitken

(21) all got starts but the innings was really boosted by a rapid half-century from Monte McCague.

He made 59 off just 47 balls, hitting 10 fours and a six.

But the visitors, despite losing opener Ben Paterson for one, stuck to their task. Jordan Mitchell and

Alastair Saunders shared a partnership worth 110, with Mitchell (66) striking 14 boundaries.

But he was put in the shade by Saunders, who smashed seven sixes on his way to 82, the runs off just 62 deliveries. However, the Leeds bowlers fought back and Edward Scrivens picked up 4-36 as wickets started to tumble. Harvel dragged themselves over the line at 234-9 in the 48th over with victory leaving them second.

They have a game in hand over leaders Bexleyheath, who won another nail-biting contest at home to Cowdrey. Bowlers were on top, with Cowdrey’s Ryan Addison and Nicholas Farr (3-27) helping dismiss the hosts for 127. Cowdrey looked favourites at that stage but they had reckoned without Faisal Naved, 5-14 from 10 overs. Only two batsmen passed 20 as Cowdrey were 126 all out, losing by one run in the 43rd over.

Gravesend picked up their first win of the season after posting 257-9 at home to Catford Wanderers.

Captain Usman Pervaiz hit 48 at the top of the order but the Gravesend innings was petering out until Muhammed Rashid came in at No.9 to make an unbeaten 56.

Rashid hit five fours and two sixes during what proved to be a match-winning knock as Wanderers were then dismissed for 195.

Ewart Thompson made 90 but ran out of partners as third-placed Catford lost for the first time this season. Nonington are fourth after they beat Tonbridge.

The hosts closed their 50 overs on 214-9 before dismissing Tonbridge for 170. Rock-bottom Gore Court crashed to 94 all out at home to Catford and Cyphers, who went on to win by five wickets.