Sevenoaks Vine (249-9) lost to Beckenham (253-8)
The 1st XI faced last season’s champions on the Vine, looking to continue their great run of form. Having lost the toss, the Vine were inserted into bat, a decision that appeared to pay dividends as John Bowden fell early to Kent Professional Alex Blake for just 2. White equally fell a few balls later to Blake and the Vine were soon struggling at 9-2. Unfazed, young Harry Houillon and overseas Luke Schlemmer rebuilt the innings, with Houillon hitting his maiden 1st XI fifty for the club at just age 16. Houillon soon fell for 64 with the score 164-3.
Wickets would begin to fall often around Schlemmer, who went on to score his second century of the season, including fourteen fours and one six. Only young Henry Proctor on debut would provide some resistance hitting 20 off 22 balls, leading the Vine to a respectable total of 249-9 off their 50 overs. Blake would be the star with the ball taking 5-31 off his ten overs.
Beckenham lost openers Calum Lennox and Rithik Hari early on in their chase, however, Kent Professional Blake would star with the bat and lead Beckenham from the front. Blake hit five fours and seven sixes on his way to 106 off 96, ably accompanied by Johan Malcolm (53). With Blake falling victim to the spin of Andrew Reid-Dick with the score 210-4, a quick flurry of wickets gave the Vine a glimmer of hope.
However, it wasn’t meant to be as Beckenham completed the run chase with just four balls remaining. Sitting in third place, the Vine travel to A21 rivals Tunbridge Wells who lie only one place and point behind in fourth.
Beckenham (224-5) lost to Sevenoaks Vine (282-9)
A mixture of youth and experience travelled to Beckenham knowing that a win would solidify Premier League cricket for the Vine for another season. Beckenham having won the toss elected to bowl, Chad Quinney and James White opened the Vine innings. Quinney was looking in excellent touch, finding the boundary with his signature cut shot at will- however, his promising start would be short lived being bowled for 22. White was to shortly follow leaving Thomas Harvey and Max Aitken to solidify for the Vine. Both played brilliantly showing their experience until the Vine lost Aitken (38).
However, other significant partnerships of Harvey and Harry Bevan-Thomas (31) followed by older brother Guy Bevan-Thomas (33) allowed Harvey to accumulate his highest score of the season so far of 85. Some back of the innings striking by Harry Robinson (22) and young Charlie Williams on debut (15*) including a brilliant shot over cover in the last over, brought the Vine to 282-9.
Alexander Christie and Tom Parsons begun the Vine defence in a considerably unfortunate period where no wicket occurred in the opening spell. Christie terrorised the batsmen with incredible pace flying past the edge of the bat (or head) whilst Parsons expertly swung the ball either direction, not allowing the openers to settle. However, Piers Robinson managed to take the all important first wicket, finding the outside edge of the batsmen. H Bevan-Thomas then showed his talents with the ball collecting 2-20 off his 10 overs.
With the Vine attack bowling so well, Beckenham struggled to find any momentum in their chase, needing over 100 in the last 10 overs. Parsons collected 2 more wickets to his tally; Beckenham would fall 70 runs short of the target.
A fantastic win on the road for the Vine leaving them in 7th place but safe for another season. The Vine welcome A21 rivals Tunbridge Wells next weekend as they look to push into the top half of the table.
Sevenoaks Vine 3rd (160-9) beat Staplehurst 2nd (116-6)
Sevenoaks Vine 3rd’s secure a good win to enhance their chances of avoiding relegation . Having been put into bat the father and son opening partnership of the Martin’s made a solid start before Dan ran out his dad Michael for 19 with the score on 31. The innings was then anchored by D Martin who made a patient 42 whilst Ben Harvey, Leo Bezuindehout, Paul McMenemy, Sam Harvey and Steve Bezuidenhout all made double figures but then got out. The Vine finished on 160-9 as skipper Hugo Tudor made a quick 23 supported by a rare appearance at the crease by Jon Coleman.
Staplehurst’s reply never really threatened. Coleman picked up 2-14 off his 10 overs with good catches coming from Matt Wilson and Alan Gibson. After a tidy few overs from Ben Harvey the introduction of Mike Martin (3-25) brought further wickets. At 20 overs Staplehurst were 48-5 and their innings meandered to 111-6 at the end with Tudor picking up 1-25.
One more win out of the last two fixtures should guarantee safety for the 3rd XI as they face Snodland at Orchard Field next week.
Sevenoaks Vine Development Team (182-8) High Halstow (181-8)
Sevenoaks Vine Development Team welcomed High Halstow to the vine on a cloudy Sunday afternoon for a friendly match. After inserting their visitors into bat, The Vine put in a respectable bowling performance, led by Charlie Williams (2-23) who was supported brilliantly by Oliver Chessell (2-28). Despite some very attacking fields, High Halstow struggled to put Vine’s five spinners away and never looked like setting a daunting total. Two fantastic run outs from Henry Proctor and Leo Bezuidenhout helped limit High Halstow to 181-8 for 8 off their 40 overs.
In reply, a wonderful opening partnership between Cyrus White (52) and Piers Robinson (32) gave The Vine a flying start, reaching 70 off 11 overs. However wickets started to fall cheaply, with only Dan Martin (22) offering any telling resistance. When Charlie Williams (9*) joined captain Guy Bevan-Thomas (17*) at the crease, the game remained in the balance with 20 needed to win with 2 wickets in hand. A fired-up High Halstow failed to remove the Vine tail, with patient batting and poor wicket keeping resulting in a 2 wicket victory for the young vine side.
