COWDREY knew victory was imperative at Leeds & Broomfield to push away from the relegation zone in Kent League Division Three.
And the Tonbridge side achieved a massive victory at Leeds Castle thanks to an excellent century from Barney Scott.
Max Aitken, the Leeds skipper, won the toss and invited Cowdrey to bat. Wicketkeeper Scott was promoted to open the batting and had a day to remember, scoring 125 off just 107 balls including 20 fours and three sixes.
The momentum provided by Scott ensured that a big total was in the offing, and the arrival of overseas star Minhaj Jalill provided acceleration as he raced to 45 off 28 balls.
But after both were dismissed, two more quick wickets fell and it was left to Ross Pilkington and Ralph Yeats-Brown to steer Cowdrey over the 300-mark for a final score of 311 for 9. Aitken was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 43.
In response to this big total Leeds were soon on the back foot. Tall pace bowler Nick Farr extracted pace and bounce from the wicket and took two early scalps, including the dangerous Edward Scrivens well caught by Jalill at slip.
Aitken was always going to be the key wicket and skipper Ryan Addison was the man to dismiss him with a well directed short ball.
The hosts then subsided under impressive spells of spin bowling by Ralph Yeats-Brown (4 for 14) and Jalill, before Farr returned to finish off the tail and return figures of 3 for 30.
A fine catch by Jalill brought the end, and gave him five catches in an innings – a rare feat – as Leeds were all out for 143 to lose by 168 runs.
The victory opened up a gap of 17 points ahead of another relegation candidate, Tonbridge, and 25 above Catford Cyphers after both lost. And only 25 points separate them from third place.
Cowdrey now host the side sitting winless at the bottom, Gore Court, on Saturday [August 10].
