Littlebourne secure an unlikely victory

Kent Regional League

Littlebourne 2nds were bowled out for just 45 on Saturday – but still won. Hosts Betteshanger 2nds looked in total control after Richard Harvey (3-6), James Marsh (3-9), Muhibullah Sultani (2-5) and Adam Smart (2-16) had ripped through the Littlebourne 2nds’ card. But needing just 46 for victory, Betteshanger collapsed in dramatic fashion. Barry Wilson scored just four off 58 deliveries and captain Smart only made eight from 32 balls as wickets fell all around them. Even so, at 40-5 the hosts should still have been home and dry but the last five Betteshanger wickets fell for just four runs. Jamie Mears took 4-7, Thomas Anderson 2-6 and Matthew Bates 2-9. Only one of the 22 players in action made double figures as Littlebourne secured the most unlikely of victories to leave Betteshanger second in 2A East. Steve Laslett top scored with 61 for Ash (170) at Boughton & Eastwell (131-9) in Championship East before Tim Dudgeon (4-25) helped the visitors close out a 39-run victory. Openers Tory Hughes (57) and Will Oates (45) put Canterbury 3rds on the way to a six-wicket victory over Worth in 1A East. Will Trafford added 44 after Luke Sullivan (3-29 from six overs) had helped restrict Worth to 174-5. Sturry remain top of 1B East despite losing by two wickets to Hawkinge for whom Ivan Willis returned remarkable figures of 8-32 in 9.2 overs. Jack Fagg (40), Shane Busby (31) and David Hards (28) were Sturry’s top scorers in a total of 155 and Hawkinge edged home despite a near decisive spell of 4-13 in four overs from Kieran Jessup. Sheldwich are one of three teams topping 1A Central on 78 points after a sevenwicket win over Sherwood. Alex Roe took 3-35 and Matt Smyth 2-26 as Sherwood were dismissed for 145 and unbeaten knocks from opener Max Blythin (48) and Jonathan Heward (37) steered Sheldwich home. Faversham 2nds lost by six wickets to Staplehurst 2nds in 1B Central, opener Antony Hill (41) top scoring in their total of 140-4. Nahum Appleton was their best bowler, taking 3-37 from 9.3 overs. Christian Gosling took 4-27 in 10 overs as Exiles at Stelling Minnis dismissed Nelson 2nds 125 in 1C East. Openers Andy Carter (27) and Dominic Corrigan (25) looked to have given Exiles a solid start but only two others reached double figures as they were bowled out for 105. Grasmere Park were shot out for just 45 by Tenterden 3rds, who then raced to their target without loss in 5.2 overs. Ash 2nds were awarded a walkover by Boughton & Eastwell 2nds. Street End 2nds beat Deal Victoria & Barns Close 2nds by 27 runs in 2B East after James Chamberlain (54) and Jonah Duggan (37) had heped them recover from 27-5 to 169 all out. Philip Marsh (4-19 in 10 overs) then spearheaded a good bowling display, back up by Chamberlan (2-23 in seven) and Bailey Kite (2-20 in 10) as Deal Vics were 142 all out. Knocks of 64 from Tom Gill-pratt and 48 not out from Dave Barrett were in vain for Whitstable 3rds (168-7) as they lost by 83 runs to Margate (251-6). Chris Rowden took 3-60 in 10 overs for the losers.