Kent’s red-ball captain Daniel Bell-Drummond blasted a century as second-placed Blackheath thumped Kent League Premier Division basement boys Bickley Park on Saturday.
Bell-Drummond found form ahead of the County Championship Division 1 season run-in with 159 from 131 balls in Blackheath’s 50-over total of 336-6. Elliot Hooper (2-59) the pick of Park’s bowlers.
There was a half-century by Safwaan Imitiaz (51) in the Bickley Park response, only for Tom Foster (3-12) to help limit them to 140 all out.
There was a second successive Kent League Premier Division defeat for frontrunners Minster against a relegation-threatened side.
Canterbury moved off the foot of the table, and are now 12 points from safety, while Minster remain 23 points clear of Blackheath despite back-to-back losses.
Batting first, Canterbury reached 149 all out, Isaac Dilkes top-scoring with 27. Captain David Masters (2-3), Aron Nijjar (2-30) and opening bowler James Speer (2-31) among the wickets for Minster.
But the Sheppey side’s response was a weak one as they were skittled for 98 in the 29th over. Only a 39-run last-wicket stand from Daniel Masters (21) and Bill Prideaux (14 not out) offered any kind of resistance.
For Canterbury, opening bowler Sam Mills (3-18) and overseas all-rounder Anthony Mosca (3-24) claimed three wickets apiece.
St Lawrence & Highland Court failed to close the gap further and slipped to third, losing by eight wickets at Tunbridge Wells.
Captain Matt Hammond’s 23 was the best they could muster in their 94 all out, opening bowler Matthew Barker able to return figures of 5-28 for Tunbridge Wells.
John Grewar (2-20) took both of Wells’ wickets to fall but wicketkeeper Sam Smith’s unbeaten 27 off 23 balls saw them safely home.
Third-bottom Sandwich Town were seven-wicket winners at fourth-placed Hayes.
Opening bowler Alex Smith returned 4-10 from 10 overs as Hayes were dismissed for 94. Opening batsman Finnan Bryan (20) was Hayes’ top-scorer.
Alfie Peck (3-37) claimed the Sandwich wickets to fall but Sidney Thomson’s 22 not out got them across the line after Sri Lankan overseas Roshan Jayatissa had blasted 30 from 26 balls.
Lordswood are a point behind Bexley, having beaten them on the road by five wickets.
Skipper Matthew Stiddard top-scored with 36 in Bexley’s 50-over total of 173-9 while Hugh Scott returned 4-35.
Bradley Goldsack then anchored the Medway club’s successful reply with 83 not out as he shared a 114-run partnership with captain Calum MacLeod, who contributed 55.
Anish Patel (2-33) and young Kent bowler Jas Singh (2-34) were best with the ball for Bexley.
