CANTERBURY & DISTRICT BAT AND TRAP LEAGUE: another VICTORY FOR ARTICHOKE a KEEPS them JOINT TOP

Artichoke A remain joint top of the Premiership with their third straight 2- 0 victory, this time over Golden Lion B. Joint leaders Dove Inn B continued their bright start with a 2- 0 win over reigning champions Golden Lion A. Littlebourne Rec occupy third spot with a 2- 0 home win over Dover Castle. Scott Elvidge hit 42 runs, while team-mate Alex Casey took five traps inclusive of a hat-trick in the second leg. Steven Hicks hit a fine 33 not out to secure the first leg for Gentil Knyght C in their 2-1 home victory over Catholic Club. The Compasses from Crundale made it three wins from three with a 2-1 home win over Black Pig, despite Mick Long and Nick Swinford both taking three traps. Castle A lost 2- 0 at Smugglers B despite Ian Taylor taking three traps, while Smugglers had big hitters in the first leg in the form of Chris Howard’s 40 and Mark Stone’s 28 runs. Gentil Knyght B recorded a 2- 0 home win against Market Inn B at the White Horse, Bridge. Market Inn A’s Fred Cook had 31 runs in the first leg and Lindsay Burden’s four traps to thank as they secured a 2- 0 win over Two Brothers. In Division 2, six teams all sit on six points and are separated by leg difference. The Kestrels won 2-1 against Red Lion A with Anthony Burden hitting the trap four times in four bowls. Alma A and Faversham Town FC both recorded 2- 0 victories, over Castle B and Red Lion B respectfully. Shipwright Arms had a 2-1 success over Evenhill Crusaders A. Evenhill Crusaders B remain unbeaten in Division 3 with a 2- 0 win over Huntsman & Horn. The Freewheel secured the three points with a 2-1 victory over Artichoke B. Sarah Jane Stevenson took four traps for her Golden Lion C side in their 2-1 defeat of Dove Inn A, while Two Brewers A beat White Horse 2-.

In the Canterbury & District Ladies’ League, Division 1, Golden Lion beat the Catholic Club 2- 0 in a high-scoring game. Haywain enjoyed a more comfortable 2- 0 win at Kings Head B where Val Nightingale scored 19 runs and Vanessa Blackman took three traps. Twenty-eight runs from Hayley Nash helped Ratling Club win 2- 0 at Home to Golden Oldies. In Division 2, all home teams were beaten by their opponents. Kings Head A beat Ye Olde Beverlie 2- 0 and Castle A defeated Red Lion B by the same score, both in low-scoring games. Artichoke took the first leg before losing the next two to Golden Lionesses. The singles competition was played at the Ratling Club and the Haywain. The Ratling Club saw a thrilling five-leg final but it was Cheryl Collier from Kings Head B who emerged victorious over Amanda Parsons from Golden Lion. At the Haywain, the final was won by Sarah Stevenson from the Ratling Club who beat Dee Leavesley from Red Lion B 2-1. The winners from both venues go forward to battle for the title on finals night in September at the Red Lion, Dunkirk.