Another fine all-round Darren Stevens display sees St Lawrence & Highland Court to Kent Cricket League Premier Division victory; Bexley, Tunbridge Wells, Sandwich Town and Holmesdale also win

There were tight matches across the board in the Kent League Premier Division at the weekend.

Darren Stevens continued his fine early-season form with another excellent all-round display in St Lawrence & Highland Court’s nine-run home win over Lordswood.

He blasted a 110-ball 127 in the hosts’ 50-over total of 258-9, Lordswood overseas Thando Ntini (3-44) best with the ball, himself bowling Stevens.

South African Ntini gave the away team hope at Highland Court with an unbeaten 66-ball 68 but ex-Kent star Stevens’ 3-15 from six overs helped inch St Lawrence & Highland Court to victory, with the visitors ending on 249-9.

Kent’s Matt Quinn also played for the home side and finished with figures of 1-38 from eight overs.

Meanwhile, 47-year-old Stevens has already scored 243 runs at an average of 83 and taken seven wickets at an average of only 11.14 in three league games for the Shrimps.

Bexley and Tunbridge Wells are level at the top of the table after respective triumphs against Hayes and Blackheath.

Bexley posted 229-7 largely thanks to Matthew Stiddard’s unbeaten 91, as Kent’s Alex Blake (2-44) and Scott Gallagher (2-47) took two wickets apiece.

In reply, Hayes recovered well from being 23-4 through half-centuries by Rory Low (83) and captain Blake (64). However, they were dismissed for 203 in the 47th over.

Despite Hayes’ early-campaign struggles, with the defending champions now sitting bottom, 34-year-old Blake has scored 194 runs in the league at an average of 48.5.

Young Kent bowler Jas Singh (3-36) was the pick of the Bexley bowlers.

Tunbridge Wells are also yet to taste defeat after they edged a close match at Blackheath.

Contributions from Alex Williams (47) and wicketkeeper Sam Smith (41) helped them to 251-9