Tunbridge Wells earned a dramatic one-wicket win to make a victorious start to their Kent League Premier Division season at Sandwich Town on Saturday.
Chasing 197, skipper Michael Waller played a real captain’s knock as he struck an unbeaten 50 from 38 balls to get them across the line off the final ball.
Drew Beazleigh (53) and Alex Williams (48) also batted well as Roshan Jayatissa (2-38), Ben Smith (2-43) and opening bowler Alex Smith (2-53) got among the wickets for the hosts.
Earlier, all-rounder Rory Smith’s 73 had steered Sandwich to 196-9 from 50 overs. Chris Williams returned 3-30 from his five overs.
Minster thumped newly-promoted Bromley by 117 runs.
A 147-run opening partnership between newly-signed wicketkeeper Jason Van Dyk (87) and Noah McLennan (64) inspired them to 265-9 despite Aditya Kumar claiming 4-11 from two overs.
In reply, Bromley wicketkeeper Ollie Streets fired 79 off 76 balls, although they fell well short and were dismissed in the 31st over. Opening bowler James Speer (4-45) sparkled.
Blackheath started their Kent League Premier Division title defence with a narrow home loss against Lordswood.
Captain Calum MacLeod (132 not out) and Linden Lockhart (103) delivered centuries in Lordswood’s 309-4 from 50 overs as Jahid Ahmed and Angus McKenzie returned 2-31 and 2-84, respectively.
Matthew Golding impressed through 138 not out from 99 balls after opening batsman and wicketkeeper Mason Robinson (51) offered a half-century, but they could only reach 295-8.
Joe Gordon (2-55) was the pick of Lordswood’s bowlers.
St Lawrence & Highland Court were beaten by nine wickets at Hayes.
Starting the summer without captain Matt Hammond and legendary former Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens, Oliver Curtiss (45) top-scored in their 159 all out in the 47th over.
Opening bowler William MacVicar and Aaron Burrage returned 4-25 and 3-28, respectively, for the home team.
Opening batsmen Burrage (70) and Finnan Bryan (59 not out) then saw them safely home in the 28th over.
Bexley edged past visitors Holmesdale.
Opening batsman Aiden Griggs’ 74 helped Bexley total 244-7 despite wickets for Dom May (2-39) and Nathan Khelawon (2-41).
In reply, captain Anthony Bissett got them close with an unbeaten 103, only for opening bowler Fraser McWhinnie (5-35) to do just enough to give Bexley a victorious start by seven runs.
