Tunbridge Wells 303-5 beat Sevenoaks Vine 229 by 74 runs
AN UNBEATEN century from Christian Davis allowed Tunbridge Wells to post an insurmountable total at Sevenoaks Vine.
On a blazingly hot day Wells skipper Chris Williams won the toss and opted to bat first. He and Davis added a stabilising 73 before the captain fell for 46.
His brother Alex then joined Davis in forging a scintillating partnership of 137 before he fell to a return catch by Michael Thompson (3 for 51), having made a quickfire 73 from just 65 balls with five fours and four sixes.
At that point Davis decided to go through the gears, adding a rapid 59 with Graeme Francis (39 off 24 balls).
The last nine overs saw 97 runs added as the total reached the giddy heights of 303 for 5.
Davis was undefeated on 114 off 128 deliveries with eight fours and five sixes, registering his first in the Kent League Premier Division.
Former Tunbridge Wells skipper Evert Bekker opened the Vine reply with 73 off 88 balls including nine boundaries to lay the foundations for the run-chase.
He and Luke Schlemmer (54) added a potentially decisive 79 for the third wicket which saw the score rise to 150 for 2.
But Paddy Sadler persuaded Bekker into an indiscretion, Davis holding his second catch of the innings, and the hosts then began to falter.
All-rounder Alex Williams picked up 3 for 50 to rip the heart out of the Vine’s middle order while the fiery strike-bowler Ari Karvelas grabbed 3 for 21 as the remaining eight wickets fell for 79 runs.
Marcus O’Riordan (2 for 49) was also among the wickets as Sevenoaks were dismissed for 229, 74 runs short, in what was an unprecedented third consecutive victory for Wells over their local rivals.
Tunbridge Wells sit in third place in the Kent League Premier Division, just a point behind Sandwich Town.
They entertain Bickley Park at The Nevill on Saturday [June 30].
