11:45am Monday 6th July 2009
By Paul Green
BLACKHEATH picked up a crucial win in their bid to beat the drop from the Kent Cricket League Premier Division with a seven-wicket triumph over Sevenoaks Vine on Saturday.
Sevenoaks won the toss and opted to bat first and Anthony Shales was in outstanding form for the visitors as he posted 108 before being caught by Paul Frith.
However, with the exception of Luke Blackaby (39), his colleagues fell some way short in matching his achievements and Sevenoaks eventually reached 174-7, thanks largely to the bowling skills of Victor Mpitsang (6-35).
Chris Willetts (40), Frith (0) and Peter Dean (25) were the only three Blackheath wickets to fall as Alex Senn (84 not out) and Simon Williams (16 not out) eased the hosts to victory.
Leaders Bromley (231-7) saw their lead at the top reduced to a single point after Beckenham (349-5) claimed a winning draw at Foxgrove.
Second-placed Hartley took full advantage with an emphatic 340-run demolition of Gore Court.
Incredibly, Hartley lost only one wicket and even Justin Raymond-Guillen (104) managed to pass the century mark.
His tally was matched by Matthew Walker but the real hero was James Hockley, who posted an incredible 283 to leave Gore Court an unlikely target of 540-1.
Andrew Tutt (3-43) claimed a hat-trick of wickets and Gore Court were eventually dismissed for 200.
Bickley Park (182-3) climb two places up to fourth after reaching the 181 target set by St Lawrence & Highland Court.
Barry Hopper (4-36) and Phil Browning (3-36) both played key roles as St Lawrence were bowled out, while Paul Clinton (69) and James Lincoln (77 not out) replied in style for Bickley.
Bexley (250-9) fall one place to fifth after a narrow two wicket reverse at Tunbridge Wells (251-8).
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