Adam Ball recorded sensational figures of 6-16 as Bexley defeated fellow relegation fighters Bromley in the Kent Cricket League Premier Division on Saturday.

Bromley captain James Butterfill won the toss and surprisingly, given the wet and green Manor Way pitch, elected to bat.

Kent and Bexley all-rounder Ball utilised the conditions superbly, dismissing three of Bromley’s top five as the visitors crumbled to 18-4.

Richard Selvey-Clinton looked to rebuild the innings, but economical spells from Harry Furze (1-11 in eight overs) and Mehdi Abbas (0-14 in nine) ensured the scoreboard remained relatively static.

A huge maximum signalled Selvey-Clinton’s intent as the overs trickled away, although the attempted acceleration brought about his demise when, on 49, a flat and powerful pull picked out Jasdev Bassan at deep square leg.

The innings finished as it started - Ball rattled through the tail, picking up three more wickets as Bromley collapsed from 95-5 to 102 all out.

In reply, Bexley were never truly troubled.

George Wells gave the hosts the ideal start with a swift 26 before running past a delivery from Nathan Harris (2-49).

Butterfill then took three quick wickets, the third produced by a spectacular leaping catch by Robert McNeill.

Bromley’s ecstasy was short-lived, however, as a destructive cameo from Adeel Malik (27 from 13 balls), which included three fours and two maximums, and a sturdy performance from Matthew Stiddard (34no) saw Bexley over the line with five wickets to spare.

Bexley now sit 14 points above the relegation zone, while Bromley’s distance from the drop has been reduced to just four points.

Hartley (99) failed to extend their unbeaten run to ten games as Beckenham (102-7) eased their relegation fears with an impressive three wicket victory.

On a very difficult batting pitch, only Shanon Fattore (27) and Scott McKechnie (23) reached double figures as the visitors were skittled out.

Raza Ali Dar top scored for Beckenham with just 18 but crucially, the hosts were gifted 26 extras, allowing them to crawl home with three wickets remaining.

With Sevenoaks Vine also sinking to a damaging defeat, Blackheath leaped to the top-of-the-table after they beat Canterbury by seven wickets.

The spinning duo of James Hands (3-23) and Chris Willetts (3-23) restricted Canterbury to 136, and a run-a-ball 74 from Tanweer Sikandar saw Blackheath cruise to victory in the 30th over.

Bickley Park (79) fell to a six wicket loss at the hands of Sandwich Town (84-4).

Jos Siddall (30) continued his solid form with the bat, but played a lone hand with no other Bickley batsman surpassing 20.

Marnus Labuschagne hit his seventh fifty of the campaign as Sandwich chased Bickley’s total with considerable ease.

Saturday’s fixtures (12pm start): Beckenham v Bexley, Hartley v Bickley Park, Lordswood v Bromley, Sandwich Town v Blackheath.

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