There was a winning start upon their Kent League Premier Division return for Canterbury at Tunbridge Wells on Saturday.
The city club skittled the hosts for just 78 in 35 overs, as overseas all-rounder Anthony Mosca (3-10) collected Canterbury’s best bowling figures. Captain Michael Waller (22) was best with the bat for the hosts.
Opening Tunbridge Wells bowler Dileepa Jayalath (2-19) ensured Canterbury had to work hard for their runs but an unbeaten 25 by Italian international Mosca saw them home as they reached 79-4 in the 33rd over.
Defending champions Lordswood started their title defence with a 23-run victory at home to Sandwich Town.
Opening batsman Owen Palmer (88) guided the Medway team to 199 all out, Harry Bee’s figures of 4-40 were the best for the away side.
Zack Fagg (46), supported by wicketkeeper Ryan Davies (37) and Kit Keey (32), gave Sandwich hope - only for South African overseas bowler Thando Ntini (4-25) to help limit the visitors to 176 all out.
Veteran former Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens’ unbeaten century saw St Lawrence & Highland Court to a home four-wicket victory against Bickley Park.
Chasing a target of 211, the 48-year-old finished 114 not out, including 14 fours and a six, despite opening bowler Xavier Darroch (2-38) doing well for Bickley Park.
Stevens had earlier picked up figures of 3-30 from 10 overs after opening batsmen Ranjit Singh (43) had provided the visitors with a decent platform in their 50-over total of 210-9.
Ex-Kent, Leicestershire and Essex bowler Dave Masters started life as Sheppey side Minster’s Kent League Premier Division skipper with a four-wicket win at Blackheath.
Kai Appleby (4-15) shone with the ball while Tejpal Birdi, George Wells and Matthew Golding got 29 in Blackheath’s 165 all out.
James Thompson then saw them across the line with 44 not out after contributions from opening batsman Dan Stickels (43) and New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Quinn Sunde (41) who was run-out. Golding finished with 3-28 from 10 overs.
Bexley beat Hayes by six wickets.
Former big-hitting Kent batsman Alex Blake’s 82 - which included six fours and a maximum - helped Hayes to a 50-over total of 193-7. Jack Sinfield (2-20) and Ahmed Jamal (2-35) got among the wickets for the hosts.
Matthew Stiddard produced a skipper’s knock of 56 not out, which included six fours and a maximum, to help see Bexley to victory in the 48th over.
