Kent County Village League Division 4: Holmesdale 2nd (215 all out) lost to Sevenoaks Vine 2nd (272-7)
Every game is a must-win for Kemsing now, having established themselves in 2nd place in the Kent County Village League Division 4.
On a hot and sultry day at Limpsfield Chart, skipper Grahame Wood won the toss again, and decided to bat first.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to capitalise on the opportunity, as he clothed a slow long-hop from the groaning opening bowler, who got it horribly wrong, only for the ball to lob nicely to mid-off.
Luckily for Kemsing, James Walkling at number 3 was definitely up for the challenge and he battered the ball around the picturesque ground, scoring 83 belligerent runs in 75 balls, with 12 fours.
e and Jake Wood put on 128 in 23 overs for the second wicket, when Jake was out for 50, reverse sweeping to slip.
Walkling soon followed, as did Jake Martin, all too briefly at the crease. Walkling has now overtaken Grahame as the top run-scorer in Division 4, with only Stuart Thresher of Knockholt close to them.
Damien Saville showed his class and versatility, batting at 4, as he and vice- captain, Martin Green, scored 59 from the last 5 overs. Saville scored 53no (eight fours and one six) and Martin 22no (two fours and one six), to take Kemsing to a very respectable total on a slightly unpredictable wicket.
Limpsfields seemed pretty confident of chasing the score down, forgetting they had been bowled out for 42 in the game at Kemsing on a better track. However, they made a better go of it this time.
Wood Senior and young Nizam opened the bowling and both bowled very well. Nizam, especially, picking up a wicket in his first over, to a smart catch at gully by Ian Wise. Wood was replaced by Roger Shaddock, who bowled 6 overs for 14 runs and castled the other opener.
After Niz, Ian Wise bowled 8 terrific overs and nobody has any idea how he only took one wicket! Damien backed up his bowling with a decent spell of off-breaks, snaffling 3 wickets, before he had to leave after the 33rd over, to baby sit!! Mrs Saville was going out with the girls!
In the last 7 overs, Wood and Shaddock were back on, with The Chart needing around 90 to win. Shaddock was his usual miserly self, claiming another wicket for 6 runs in his 3 overs, but Mr Wood was on the receiving end of some harsh treatment from the two Chart batsmen, as the sixes rained down at long on!! However, he did dismiss both of them in the second over of his spell, going for 34 runs in the two overs, before taking himself off and letting Niz have an over.
A crucial win by some distance in the end, despite the bashing towards the end of the innings, to maintain second place in the league. They have a chance to take top spot should Chiddingstone slip up.
