Beckenham turn up the heat

The heat and humidity in south London saw flagging energy levels at Foxgrove Road where wickets tumbled and the flow of runs dried up on a parched track though Beckenham and Sydenham emerged with an extended lead at the top of the Shepherd Neame Kent Premier Division by beating Gore Court in a low scoring affair.

Fresh out of the traps, Beckenham seamers Al Lee (2-37) and Alex Blake (4-46) fired the opening salvos at Gore Court plunging them deep into trouble at 80 for six but Neville Talbot blasted 70 from 52 balls to provide a partial recovery and take them to 157 all out in just 37.2 overs.

Beckenham's reply proved surprisingly nervous, losing wickets at regular intervals mainly to Alex Edwards (4-32). Leigh Walker steadied the ship with 45 and useful contributions from the two Ollies - Waite (36) and Howick (33) - ensured the four wicket win and sixteen points for the home side which gives them an 11 point advantage.

Hartley edged back into second place by virtue of a three wicket win over Sandwich. Sandwich could only post 177 for nine in their 55 overs but made Hartley work hard for their victory. Hartley were steered home thanks largely to an unbeaten 64 from former Kent pro Min Patel.

For the second successive week St Lawrence were involved in another cliff-hanger and again scraped home using overs gained by bowling out their opposition in under 55 overs. Visitors Bromley were put in to bat by their hosts and a fine 117 by opener Nadeem Shahid dominated their innings.

Nadeem Shahid blasts 117 for Bromley © Getty Images

No other batsmen offered a lengthy partnership with Shahid, and Bromley were bowled out for 232 in the 51st over gifting St Lawrence four extra overs. In similar fashion to their visitors, only one batsman got well established with Murray Creed holding their innings together with a very useful 92.

At 192 for eight Bromley looked favourites to take 20 points but a hard-fought unbeaten 23 from Greg Betz saw St Lawrence home by a one wicket margin and only two balls of their extra overs remaining.

Elsewhere a fine unbeaten 101 by Peter Dean helped Blackheath to a comfortable five wicket over Sevenoaks Vine whose 214 for eight proved insufficient while Lordswood could not take the tenth Tunbridge Wells wicket as they battled to save the game.

At 150 for nine chasing 230, Tunbridge looked set for a hefty defeat but a resilient tenth wicket partnership saved the day. Kent paceman Amjad Kahn, returning from injury, took 4-30 even though he was restricted to just nine overs.