Beckenham's relegation from the Kent Cricket League Premier Division confirmed as they lose to Lordswood; Hayes, Minster, Bexley and Tunbridge Wells also win

Bottom side Beckenham’s mathematical chances of remaining in the Kent League Premier Division were dashed on Saturday as they lost to Lordswood.

Beckenham, short of five members of last week’s team, fielded first.

Lordswood openers Bradley Goldsack and skipper Ed Taylor started steadily against Beckenham's opening bowlers Harri Aravinthan and Dave Moody on a decent track.

But after 10 overs, the young pairing of Fraser Whiteland and James Ronay were brought into action, the former (2-33) getting Goldsack for 38 and Lordswood’s captain for 17 to leave them 70-2.

At the other end, Ronay, bowling with impressive pace, struck with a beauty which Joe Gordon had to play at to give James Balmforth a regulation catch.

That was the last success for the visitors for some time, though, as Linden Lockhart (70) and Jack Laraman (31) started to put together a solid stand.

But Beckenham left-arm spinner Ishan Sabharwal, 4-53, then got among the wickets as Lordswood posted 254-8.

The Beckenham innings suffered an early setback as Rithik Hari was forced to retire injured on six.

But as fellow opener Gethin Roberts was joined by skipper Alexander Senn, a decent stand began to take shape.

Having done all the hard work, however, Roberts suffered a rush of blood and was bowled by Laraman for 23.

Having struck two magnificent sixes, Aravinthan tried to launch Hugh Scott and was trapped in front but, with Ross Piller immediately taking the fight to the opposition with a flurry of boundaries, Beckenham were 140-2 and they looked well set at this stage.

But that was as good as things got as Senn fell one short of a half-century and Beckenham were 167 all out in the 43rd over.

Opening bowler Touseeq Shah (4-27) and Lockhart (3-13) were best with