High Halstow 149 lost to Cowdrey 152-3 by 7 wkts
HAVING clinched promotion last week, Cowdrey were duly crowned champions of Kent League Division Four with a thumping victory over High Halstow.
The win came early, with almost 30 overs to spare, and news of a defeat for second-placed Catford Wanderers at Hythe confirmed their No 1 and prompted celebrations at Swanmead.
The home captain Anthony Mills lost the toss and was asked to field. Nick Farr and Ryan Addison were given the new ball and bowled fiery opening spells, ensuring High Halstow were on the back foot.
Addison picked up an early wicket and the introduction of Thom Brown (2 for 31) saw him take the key wickets of Chris Maurice and Tyler Dockwray who scored heavily in the first match.
Sixteen-year-old off-spinner Gautam Juneja was making his first appearance in the senior team this season and he caused serious problems for the visitors.
The teenager finished with exceptional figures of 4 for 25, clean bowling four batsmen including Ciaran Fredericks, who top-scored with 67 and 10 boundaries.
Farr (2 for 16) returned to claimed two victims as High Halstow’s innings closed on 149 with 10 overs still remaining.
In response, Cowdrey’s overseas star Ash Borella was in brutal mood, taking 16 off the first over. But his team mates were soon in trouble as the hosts lost three quick wickets, all ducks, as the hosts slipped to 17 for 3.
But all-rounder Addison (45 not out) joined Borella and played the anchor role in a match-winning, unbroken partnership of 135.
It was fitting that Borella scored the winning runs, finishing on 94 not out off only 56 balls with 11 fours and three sixes as Cowdrey reached 152 for 3 off only 20.1 overs.
The comfortable win was achieved at 5pm and three hours later news filtered through that Catford Wanderers had lost, handing the title to the Tonbridge side.
The following day saw the club celebrate their 70th anniversary in style with a party which included a flypast by the Red Arrows.
Cowdrey will look to keep up their winning ways when they travel to Downham & -Bellingham on Saturday [August 25].
PICTURE: CHAMPIONS: (Back row, l-r) Xavier Yeats Brown, Nick Farr, Thom Brown, Rob Fenwick, Stuart Clarke, Barney Scott; (front) Glen Warner, Chris Fenwick, Ash Borella, Anthony Mills, Jack Southwart, Jack Mutch, Ryan Addison
