Kent Regional Cricket League 2A Central: Sevenoaks Vine 3rd (188-8) beat Lordswood 3rd (148 all out)
The Vine 3rd XI won the toss and elected to bat at Otford. After the loss of Akerman and Dan Martin quite early, the innings was built by Craig McNicholas who scored a good 44 and Adrian Spurling with his third consecutive 50.
A slight wobble saw the team at 150-7, Hugo Tudor steered the team to 188-8 with some excellent help from Olly Chessell and Harry Spurling. In the Lordswood reply, Boudville and Gavin both induced early edges that went through the slips before Boudville picked up a couple of wickets but the runs were flowing and Lordswood reached drinks at 20 overs on 100-3.
Mike Martin had picked up the crucial wicket of the Lordswood opener just before drinks and proceeded to bowl a great spell picking up 5-26 in his 10 overs with Hugo Tudor getting in on the act with 3-33 as Lordswood subsided to 140 all out. A much needed win for the Vine who climb out of the relegation places and face Borstal away next weekend.
Development
The highly anticipated fixture between the Development Team and Holmesdale took place on Sunday afternoon. Having won the toss, Holmesdale elected to bat. Oster began proceedings bowling with immense pace down the hill, yet it would be Gavin who would make the early breakthrough catching the outside edge of Harby for 3, caught by Reid-Dick at gully. Holmesdale rebuilt well against a youthful Vine seam attack, with experienced Fawcitt leading the way hitting 85.
The “leg spin” of Robinson would take the wicket of Lindsay for a well made 55 before bowling Akraman for 0 a few balls later. The spin of Reid-Dick and Robinson halted the pacey start, finishing with 1-34 and 2-44 off their 8 overs respectively. Bissett would make 46 before edging to White, leading Holmesdale to a strong 255-5 off their 40 overs.
The Vine chase began well with Cyrus White playing some glorious strokes, ably accompanied by Dan Martin who equally played some sumptuous drives including one back past the bowler. White would soon fall after making 58 and with the score at 100-1, the Vine were confident. However, a quick collapse would begin, losing five wickets for just under thirty runs, halting the run chase somewhat at 144-6. Oster (28) and Chessell (25) handed some lusty blows to the Holmesdale bowling attack, yet it would be to no avail as Holmesdale had too many runs on the board, winning by 23 runs. The Vine look to bounce back in their next league fixture against rivals Tunbridge Wells this Saturday.
