Kentish Express Ashford & District
KENT REGIONAL LEAGUE:LEAGUE LEADERS ARE MADE TO WORK HARD
Kent Village League
Mersham Le Hatch lost top spot to Harbledown in Division 3, following Sunday’s six-wicket defeat to Aldington.
Mersham made 235-6 from their 40 overs, but Aldington got home with an over to spare.
Great Chart were unable to halt Harbledown, who charged to an eight-wicket win. The home side’s 157 all out was eclipsed by Harbledown in the 21st over.
Second-placed Rolvenden came unstuck against Horton Kirby in Division 4.
Tobias Percival took 3-31 as the visitors reached 161-7, but Rolvenden fell 22 runs short in their reply. No.7 Nick Stickels scored unbeaten 52 but Rolvenden were restricted to 139-8. Leaders Willesborough consolidated their lead at the top of 2A East with victory at Selsted.
They were made to fight all the way, though, eventually getting home by two wickets. Sanjay Sharma took 3-18 from his 10 overs as the hosts were restricted to 165-9.
In reply, Willesborough also struggled with the bat. Opener Adam Sattaur was top scorer in the match with 30 as the leaders got past the target in the 36th over.
Kennington’s Jon Ghaemian ran through the Hawkinge top order to see his side to a 68-run win. Ghaemian took 5-32 as the visitors were bowled out for 85. Earlier Jeremy Grove topscored with 38 as Kennington made 153-9.
Mersham Sports lost out to promotion hopefuls Hythe by nine wickets in Championship East. Anand Nagabhushana top-scored with 28 as Mersham laboured to 118-8 from their 40 overs. Bryon Gale (58 not out) helped by Pat Briscoe (42) then stood firm as the home side knocked off the runs in 30 overs.
Boughton & Eastwell eased their relegation worries in 1A East with a five-wicket win against Minster (Ramsgate). Simon Aylott took 3-34 as Minster were bowled out for 137. An unbeaten knock of 37 from Craig Mannering then guided the hosts home.
In 1B East, Mersham Sports 2nds were bowled out for 94 and went down to a 164-run defeat to Herne Bay.
There was a much closer finish for Tenterden 3rds, who bowled out 10-man Sturry for 215 to win by seven runs.
Willesborough 2nds lost ground on the top two in 2B East when they were bowled out for 133 to lose by 75 runs to second place Nelson.