TUNBRIDGE WELLS put their campaign back on track after three successive defeats with a victory over in-form Blackheath at the Nevill.
Wells were back on home turf after hosting the County Championship match at their ground.
They won the toss and chose to bat second on a pitch that promised to be lively early on.
Dave Smith found movement from the outset, and the openers were unexpectedly troubled as the ball deviated and edges were found.
Two wickets fell to Smith with the score on 14, including dangerman Tanweer Sikandar, before Joe Kerridge and Richard Fleming knuckled down.
Josh Weller did enough to castle Kerridge at 34, but Fleming (39) showed admirable technique.
The introduction of spin saw three wickets fall rapidly to leave the innings in tatters at 76 for 6.
The wasteful run-out of Fleming was a big blow to Blackheath’s hopes, and Wells’ groundwork and general acumen were back to their best.
The dour resistance of Chris Willetts (28) dragged the total past 100 but he was dismissed by the gentle off-spin of Mike Waller (3 for 15) and the last three wickets fell at 126.
The run-chase saw a gem of an innings from opener Chris Williams, whose attacking flair was counterbalanced by judicious defence.
Waller (16) put on 54 with Williams for the second wicket but at 77 for 1 he holed out to mid-on.
Williams raced to his half-century off 44 balls, and he struck a series of mid-wicket boundaries to hasten the outcome.
Victory came up in 21 overs with the opener unbeaten on 92 off 73 balls with 15 fours.
Tunbridge Wells remain in eighth place above Sevenoaks and Holmesdale. They now travel to The Butts to take on top-of-the-table Sandwich Town, who have won five of their six games.
In Division One, Linden Park won a thrilling, low-scoring contest at home to Bromley Common.
The visitors elected to bat but were bundled out for 115 in 32.5 overs with opening bowler Freddie Hulbert ripping out the top order to grab 5 for 31.
Driaan Brewer then took a couple of scalps as Bromley Common were reduced to 67 for 7.
A late recovery led by skipper Lee Hall restored some respectabililty – and it almost proved enough to effect a victory as Linden Park limped over the line on 116 for 7 in only 26 overs.
Paul Seldon was the mainstay at the top of the order with 47, and he put on 55 with Brewer (25).
But thereafter the batting tailed off alarmingly with Freddie Foster, at third change, causing havoc with 5 for 13 from seven overs.
In Division Four, Tonbridge were well beaten by a powerful Minster outfit at Gilbert Hall on Sheppey.
The home side rattled up 262 for 7 thanks to Jordan Connor (69) and Kevin Cunningham (50).
Tonbridge’s Stuart Bridgen fought back as wickets fell, with eight fours in his 37 off 38 balls.
But he fell to Cunningham, who picked up 4 for 14 in 22 balls as Tonbridge were all out for 109.
Cowdrey lost at Old Colfeians’ Horn Park, the hosts amassing 252 for 7. But Akbar Mohammad could be well pleased with his figures of 4 for 40.
Jack Southwart opened up with 57 in response and was supported by Barney Scott (42) but the visitors ultimately fell short on 206 off 45.3 overs.
