Leaders show title intent

St Lawrence & Highland Court beat one of their promotion rivals on Saturday.

The Kent League Division 1 leaders clinched a six-wicket success at Bromley.

Kent’s Darren Stevens took three wickets as Bromley were 250 all out.

In reply, Stevens departed for four in the second over but the partnership between Charley Nash (50) and Will Hilton (97) took them to 153-2. Michael Hales Jnr was uneaten on 48 and Michael Edwards 28 not out as the chase was completed in 46 overs.

A swashbuckling innings from Canterbury’s Jack Wheeler helped his side to a six-wicket victory over Folkestone.

Having bowled Folkestone out for 157, Canterbury knocked the runs off in 22.1 overs with Wheeler leading the way, hitting 79 off 47 balls.

The opening-wicket stand between Wheeler and Matiss Siyambalapitiya (36) put 125 runs on the scoreboard and James Lilley (23 not out) then helped guide the side home.

In Division 2, Whitstable lost at home to OD CUACO, restricted to 216-9 after the visitors made 259 all out.

Stuart Drakely picked up four wickets for The Belmont side but they fell short in the chase. Leading scorers were Jayden Denly (36), Henry Goss (38) and Josh Gould (35 not out).

Division 3 side Chestfield posted 265-8 in reply to Bexleyheath’s 313-9.

Ben Burgess took three wickets and the Chestfield opener scored 46 before being run out. Lower-order batters Christian Roberts (54) and Zac Benfield (62) both made halfcenturies for the beaten side.

Alex Cotter blasted an unbeaten 144 for St Lawrence & Highland Court 2nds in a ninewicket win over Bickley Park 2nds. Chasing 284, the Saints’ openers set them on their way with Joseph Eves (69) backing up Cotter’s century and when that partnership was broken, Tom Shaw came in and helped complete the chase with 46 not out.

St Lawrence are a place behind leaders Holmesdale in 2nd XI Division 1 with Canterbury a place further back in third.

Canterbury’s 2nd XI lost to lowly Folkestone 2nds by 23 runs.

Folkestone’s Suleman Shafqat was 181 not out and his impressive effort helped the visitors to a total of 322-5 off 50 overs.

Canterbury made a valiant chase, with Ben Marsh (105) scoring a ton and Ben Line (54) a half-century, reaching 299-9 in reply.

Whitstable 2nds were bowled out for 100 chasing The Mote 2nd XI’S 240-7 in 2nd XI Division 2.

A run-a-ball 46 not out from Chestfield 2nd XI captain Neil Gowers led them to a six-wicket win against New Beckenham 2nds.

Wickets from Kashif Anwer (4-25), Jacob Couzens (3-45) and Neil Gowers (3-32) had earlier helped restrict New Beckenham to 199-4.

Canterbury 3rds (216-7) held off Hawkinge as they bowled their opponents out for 206. Russell Griffiths (77) and George Gooderham (69) top scored for the city side.

Paul Kennard (107) hit a century and Eleanor Todd picked up four wickets for Canterbury 4ths (221-6) in their 75-run win against Ash 2nds.

Rowan Finnegan’s 87 not out guided Whitstable 3rds to a ninewicket win against St Margaret’s Cosmopolitans 2nds.

He also took a couple of wickets.