COWDREY put aside last weekend’s rain-wrecked opener to record their first win after promotion to Kent League Division Three.
The Tonbridge side’s new overseas recruit Minhaj Jalill made an outstanding contribution with bat and ball.
Ryan Addison won the toss at Swanmead and chose to bat first, but Gravesend were soon to prove what a strong bowling outfit they are.
The home side were soon on the back foot. Xavier Yeats-Brown (28) was the only player in double figures as Cowdrey subsided to 60 for 5.
However, the Sri Lankan first-class all-rounder Jalill took control and went on the counter-attack with a delightful array of shots.
He received support from Addison as the pair added 61 for the sixth wicket, and when the captain departed, veteran Glen Warner worked hard running between the wickets.
Jalill departed for an excellent 85 off 80 balls including 14 fours, bowled by opening bowler Adnan Pervaiz returning for a second spell.
Warner marshalled the tail, finishing unbeaten on 31 as Cowdrey were all out for 213.
Gravesend’s Jamie Maguire (37) got off to a good start before the bowlers found a better line.
Paceman Harry Johnson (2 for 34) clean-bowled both openers, while six-foot-six Nick Farr bowled with pace and aggressive but without luck.
Then Jalill’s spin was introduced and Gravesend were not able to get after him.
Fiery Farr (2 for 33) returned and his express pace was too much for the remaining top order.
Thom Brown made the crucial breakthrough, dismissing Arun Rana for 33.
And the Sri Lankan mopped up the tail to record outstanding figures of 4 for 10 in his 10 overs as Gravesend fell 69 runs short on 144.
Cowdrey, in fourth place, now travel to league leaders Bexleyheath on Saturday (May 25).
