Blackheath 160 All Out

Beckenham 144 All Out

Blackheath won by 16 runs

AT NOON on Saturday the only winner was going to be the weather at the Rectory Field when Blackheath entertained second placed Beckenham in the Kent Premier League, writes Ben Hammond.

With heavy showers preventing the umpires inspecting the pitch only a five-a-side football match kept the home side entertained.

Then a chink of sunshine penetrated through the clouds and allowed a match full of excitement and pressure.

Beckenham won the toss and decided they would bowl first in bowler friendly conditions.

With moisture in the pitch, the away side were looking for immediate break throughs.

What they found was a blistering opening partnership between Richard Rawlings and Reimel Ragnauth.

In a match shortened to 40 overs per side, Blackheath needed a good start.

Rawlings looked to dominate rather than be dominated and struck the ball beautifully before he was out for 37.

Ragnauth batted purposefully for his 30 runs but his departure saw a mini collapse.

Ben Hammond tried to bind the middle order together but he fell for 34 and the home side were in a spot of trouble at 136 for 7.

The Blackheath lower order chipped away and finally managed to reach 160 from their 40 overs.

The main threat posed by Beckenham's bowling was the left arm spin of Alistair Owen-Browne who took 4 for 22.

With Blackheath's leading bowler also a left arm twirler the home side were in a strong position on a pitch which was showing signs of turn.

With four runs per over required somebody had to perform for the away side.

This came in the shape of Beckenham's opener Chris Isles.

He had a few chances but batted excellently for his 65.

The problem he faced was the loss of his partners at the other end as Blackheath's bowlers attacked from ball one and none more so than Warren Lee.

Although wicketless, he bolwed with great composure and fine pace.

The away side appeared to be handling the pressure of the chase excellently and at 135 for 6, they looked like comfortable winners.

Up stepped the legendary Rupert Staple and immediately changed the game.

In a spell of four wickets for a single run he completely destroyed the Beckenham lower order and ensured that Blackheath had a 20-point victory when he bowled Neville Wharton.

The victory was sweet for Blackheath and with three games remaining, they have surely secured Premier League cricket at the Rectory for next season.

This weekend they visit league leaders Bromley on Saturday and Tunbridge Wells on Bank Holiday Monday.