Sevenoaks Vine and Holmesdale Cricket Clubs are well into their fixtures this summer and after a good start for both teams, the league tables are now starting to sort themselves out.
Holmesdale, who were relegated from the Kent Premier Division last season, had gone unbeaten until the start of June with wins against Folkestone, Hartley Country Club and Linden Park.
However, they faced a well-oiled Canterbury team at the start of June and finally lost by nine runs.
They are currently just one point adrift of the top of the table and will look forward to June’s matches against The Mote, HSBC, St Lawrence & Highland Court and Bromley.
Sevenoaks Vine have had a mixed bag of results since the season started on May 5th. Bickley Park visited the Vine in the season opener and Sevenoaks were pleased to nudge past their opponents with the last ball of the match.
However, after the second match was abandoned due to rain, Sevenoaks went on a two-match losing streak. Firstly, succumbing to the might of Lordswood at home, before Bexley imposed a second defeat of the season.
As the month turned, so did Sevenoaks’ luck as they went on to defeat Tenterden at home with a strong display from both the batsman and bowlers.
Further down the leagues saw a great tussle between the local rivals as their 2nd XI’s were put to the test on the Vine. Holmesdale recording 222 in their innings but when Sevenoaks reached 70 for 2 off 18 overs the match was abandoned due to the weather. We will all look forward to the rematch at Montreal Park on July 14th.
Meanwhile, in the Kent County Village League, Kemsing Cricket Club had a day to remember when they hosted Limpsfield Chart in May.
Kemsing’s captain Grahame Wood hit a wonderful 166 whilst recording the fifth highest partnership in KCC history with his son Jake, 201 before the first wicket fell. Roger Shaddock then recorded his first hat-trick for 40 years, finishing the day with a marvellous 5-0.
With records like this, it was no wonder that Kemsing defeated Limpsfield Chart by an astonishing 268 runs.