More woe for hapless Blackheath (From News Shopper)

More woe for hapless Blackheath

3:21pm Monday 22nd June 2009 in

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Blackheath 95 all out

Hartley Country Club 99–0

BLACKHEATH’S poor run in the KCL Premier Division continues after a terrible batting performance against Hartley on Saturday, recording a total of just 95 which was easily beaten by the visitors.

Hartley’s bowlers found their form almost immediately, as tall pace man Darrel Carter (2-18) was at hand to take the wicket of Jack Ford (0).

Carter continued to use the swinging conditions to his advantage, gaining another victim, Seb Slater (0), in the next over.

Paul Frith and Peter Dean put on a defiant partnership of 39, but just as they seemed to be picking up the run rate, Dean (13) swung at an outswinging delivery from Daniel Redwood (2–37) and was caught by slip Coles.

Frith (24) fell in the next over, caught by wicketkeeper Scott Mckechnie off James Thompson (2–17).

Blackheath desperately needed a big innings from someone, but it never came.

Their only highlight was a quick partnership between captain Chris Willets (20) and keeper Matt Sheperd (21) before Hartley’s spinner James Hockley (3–9) cleaned up with a brilliant spell of bowling.

Hartley needed just 96 to take the win and openers Hockley and James Thompson went about chasing the target quickly, despite the best efforts of an aggressive spell from bowler Victor Mpistang (0–31).

The two batsmen resisted all the Blackheath attack could throw at them and achieved the total in a quick-fire 25 overs, which included an impressive half century from Hockley (64 not out), winning with 10 wickets in hand.

Victory keeps Hartley hot on the trail of leaders Bromley, who stay top after a four-wicket home win over Tunbridge Wells.

Matthew Isaacs and Chris Harris both took two wickets as Bromley restricted the visitors to 175-7.

After initially struggling on 25-3, Bromley recovered their composure with Richard Cutts (66 not out) and Simon Routh (38 not out) forming a useful partnership as the hosts reached 176-6.

Bexley (295-5) defeated St Lawrence (157 all out), Bickley Park (227) went down at Sevenoaks (283) and basement side Beckenham (254-7) lost at home to Gore Court (256-2).