Sevenoaks Vine (227-5) beat Bromley Common (140 all out)
Sevenoaks Vine 1st team entertained Bromley Common this Saturday in a rain affected game that meant that the match was reduced to just 30 overs per side. A professional performance from the home team delivered a convincing win by 87 runs.
Batting first, the Vine amassed 227 for 5 on a tricky wicket with all of the batsmen contributing well. John Bowden set the tone with an aggressive 57 off just 48 balls. Adam Rouse scored 44 and the captain, Luke Schlemmer, again utilising the scorer’s red ink scored 51 not out from just 36 balls. A selfless and welcome 37 from man of the match Olly Durrell in just 25 balls included the largest 6 of the season which was conservatively seen as being well over 100 metres.
Bromley Common were never in touch with the run rate required and were bowled out for just 140 in 28 overs. The wickets were shared amongst the bowlers and apart from a gritty 46 from opener Toby Frinzal, there was little fight from an opposition who look destined to play in Division One next season.
The Vine first team have now won 7 out of their last 8 matches and have moved steadily up the league into 3rd position. With three matches left this season there is still all to play for in the county’s Premier League.
Whitstable 2nd (137 all out) lost to Sevenoaks Vine 2nd (138-5)
The Vine made the long journey to bottom of the table Whitstable knowing a win would boost their league position going into the final three rounds. Having won the toss, Vine elected to bowl on a damp wicket which paid dividends immediately with Robinson finding an early wicket. Christie from the other end was bowling with immense control and pace, he was unlucky to not find a wicket in his opening spell.
The change of bowling brought rewards for the Vine with Burns taking 2 wickets in quick succession; the introduction of spin partner Thompson broke the back of the Whitstable innings, his tight bowling led to some questionable running whilst taking 4 wickets of his own. Christie was brought back into the attack and earned the wicket he previously deserved, Whitstable all out for 136.
C White and Thompson set about the total finding the boundary willing. Thompson’s off stump was then found by a beautiful piece of bowling by the Whitstable opener. Shortly after, White and Quinney fell in quick succession bringing Burns (46) to the crease. His partnership with Cowdrey (27) was paramount in stabilising the Vine’s chase, even though both fell before the target, The Vine won the fixture by 5 wickets.
This win pushes the Vine into a more solid seventh place, 2 points behind Sevenoaks rivals Holmesdale. The Vine travel to Beckenham next week where a win will confirm Premier League status next season and start a push towards the top half of the table.
Old Williamsonians 2nd (61 all out) lost to Sevenoaks Vine 3rd (192-8)
The 3rd XI travelled to Rochester knowing a win would boost their survival hopes. Despite the early loss of D Martin, Peters hit a well manufactured 33, ably accompanied by M Martin (15). Carslaw (32) and McNicholas (51) batted well together and led the Vine to a high scoring 192 off their 40 overs, along with a strong 25 hit from C Williams.
The Old Williamsonians response failed to get going, and never really looked like chasing the total. The star with the ball, Jon Coleman, took 5-23 off 8 overs was assisted by disciplined bowling by Boudville (1-16), Gavin (2-7) and M Martin (1-6). Old Williamsonians were bowled out for just 61, completing the win by 131 runs. The 3rd XI have risen out of the relegation spaces to 6th place, but only remain two points above the relegation spots with three games to play. Next up, Staplehurst, a team the Vine beat earlier on in the season.
