TUNBRIDGE WELLS suffered a sound defeat by eight wickets in the Kent Premier League at Tenterden’s Morghew Park.
The visitors won the toss and chose to bat, only to find themselves reduced to 5 for 3 by the new-ball attack of Sam Weller and Tom Richards, the wickets falling in the space of six balls.
The captain, Alex Williams, dug in deep while Nick Sale provided a more enterprising innings as they forged a much-needed stand of 50.
But the home attack was in no mood to let their opponents off the hook. Skipper Williams feathered a touch through to the wicketkeeper, and Weller had picked up 3 for 17 from seven hostile, probing overs.
Young Julian O’Riordan (25) put on 42 with Sale until the latter, who had reached a second consecutive half-century, also edged to the keeper Ben Price off the bowling of Alistair Neale. He departed for 57 from 52 balls with 10 boundaries.
The rest of the innings subsided with little resistance as Wells posted an inadequate 167 all out with 32 deliveries unused.
An undefeated 96 from opener Chris Vernon, with 15 fours, anchored the reply and saw Tenterden home on 169 for 2 in partnership with Linden Lockhart (34 not out) with 12 overs to spare.
Spinner Marcus O’Riordan was the pick of the bowlers as he took 1 for 24 from his 10 overs.
Sitting in eighth position in the table, just above the drop zone, Wells now entertain the talented all-round skills of Blackheath at the Nevill.
Linden Park succumbed to defeat at Bromley in Division One after electing to bat first. Extras was top-scorer as the away team were restricted to 182 for 9, Ashley Forde taking 3 for 30.
Miguel Barbosa contributed 57 and Yasir Arafat chipped in with 50, adding 92 for the third wicket, and the hosts reached their target at 186 for 6 off 38.1 overs, Freddie Hulbert taking 2 for 53.
In Division Four, Tonbridge were bowled out for 154 at Poplar Meadow by visiting Old Colfeians.
Dale Moorhouse scored 63 but the hosts were undone by Alex Lorimer (4 for 45) and Amar Alapati (5 for 36) as they were dismissed in 36.3 overs.
Lorimer then opened up with 86 as the Eltham side cruised to 155 for 4 with five overs remaining.
