The LBJ under 13's lost narrowly to a young and talented Bexley side on 1 August in another exciting finish at Tower House. We had the outstanding batman in James Leggett, but Bexley bowled and fielded a little better.

Bexley reached 130 for 7 off 30 overs. Dominic Smith captained the side. He and Monte McCague bowled tight opening spells. Cameron Laurenson (1 for 16) took the first wicket courtesy of a fine tumbling catch by Nathaniel Littler. Nathaniel swung the ball to good effect in his spell. Chris Gallie and James Clarke provided wrist spin. James induced a stumping by Nick Prime.

Alex Kidd was kept in reserve for the strongest batsmen. He was in good rhythm and reached extreme pace, hitting the stumps spectacularly on one occasion. Tom Bonwick prospered at the end, taking 3 for 7 including 3 wickets in the final over. As usual, extras (this time 44 in total) were too many.

After the early loss of Nick Prime, a good stand followed between Dominic Smith (11) and James Leggett before James had to retire on 31. Then runs dried up in the face of excellent bowling from J Regnier (3 for 10) and Ryan Weston who finished with 4 for 8.

The turning point was probably when Alex Kidd was bowled by Weston, playing across the line in frustration. Chris Gallie stuck to the task, ending not out on 16. Monte McCague supported him well before sacrificing his wicket in pursuit of a short single. This brought James Leggett back in with an outside chance of wnning the match. As the rain set in James struck a few more blows before being well caught at deep fine leg for 37 in the 29th over. We were all out for 122. The difference in extras was 10.

The team in batting order was:

• Nick Prime
• Dominic Smith
• James Leggett
• Nathaniel Littler
• Alex Kidd
• Chris Gallie
• Cameron Laurenson
• James Clarke
• Tom Bonwick
• Monte McCague

The following day we were outplayed by an older and stronger Whitstable team. Put in to bat on a rain affected pitch at Burberry Lane, we lost 8 wickets in scoring 105 off our 25 overs.

Dominic Smith and Nick Prime resisted some hostile opening overs before Nick was caught for 4 and Dominic lbw for 13. Alex Kidd unfortunately ran out our guest player, Jack Moyler, before being caught for just 6. Harry Avis struck two boundaries in his 9. Cameron Laurenson played very sensibly for 16 not out.

Whitstable overtook our score in the 18th over, finishing on 110 for 4. Jack Moyler bowled accurately, taking 2 for 10. Alex Kidd and James Clarke each hit the stumps but the result was never in doubt.

Harry Avis took his chance to keep wicket because of an injury to Nick Prime. He kept very competently despite his inexperience in the role. Perhaps we have a found a keeper for the under 15's next year?

Sadly, Bapchild have cancelled our match arranged for 9 August because of a rearranged cup match. We are looking for another fixture or two at the end of the season.

The Under 13 league season was rounded off with a solid 7 wickets win against Bearsted at Burberry Lane on 16 July. LBJ are the only team to have completed (and/or reported) all our matches so far. Our final record is played 9, won 7, lost 2. We have 56 points, equal top with Staplehurst but they have won all their 7 matches with two more to play.

Bearsted scored 109 for 4 off their 20 overs. Top scorer was extras with no less than 37, including 19 wides. We have given away too many extras all season! Dominic Smith (1 for 13) and George Duggan (1 for 21) were the pick of the bowlers. Chris Gallie took 1 for 15. James Clarke and James Leggett held on to good catches. In the absence of George Davis, George Duggan took over the captaincy and handled the game and the team thoughtfully.

In reply LBJ started briskly. Zach Osborne made 10 and Alex Kidd continued his run of good form with a classy 29. James Leggett punished some loose bowling with 30 retired in short order. Harry Avis showed his improvement, scoring 7 before being well bowled. George Duggan was at his stylish best, finishing 28 not out with James Clarke in support. Our final score was 110 for 3, with three overs to spare.

The full team in batting order was:

• Zach Osborne
• Alex Kidd
• James Leggett
• George Duggan
• Harry Avis
• James Clarke
• Chris Gallie
• Dominic Smith
• Cameron Laurenson
• Matthew Mustill
• Nick Prime

LBJ now move in to the Challenge matches for the rest of the season. In such a talented team, several players have had limited chances to bat and bowl. If they stick at it their patience will be rewarded.

Whatever our performance on the field, we try to be hospitable to our visitors. Against Bearsted we went one further. There was home made cake for everyone kindly provided by Jane Duggan. Thank you Jane and we hope you and Gary enjoyed your anniversary!

John Higgs

The under 13 Cup Semi-Final at Smarden on 12 July was indeed another close game. This time we lost. As much the younger team, our skill was not quite enough to overcome greater experience and physical strength.

LBJ scored 130 for just 2 wickets. George Davis and Nick Prime started solidly against some tight bowling. James Leggett accelerated the scoring. George, James and then Nick all retired on 30. Nick struggled to force the pace when the situation called for it. In the closing overs George Duggan made a rapid 11 before being brilliantly run out. Zach Osborne had just a few balls to play and struck a fine 6 over square leg.

Smarden set a generally defensive field and protected the boundaries tenaciously. Our batsmen will reflect that they could have done more to respond by putting pressure on the fielders with aggressive running and calling. The full team in batting order was: George Davis, Nick Prime, James Leggett, George Duggan, Alex Kidd, Zach Osborne, Harry Avis, Cameron Laurenson, Adam Hunt, Nathaniel Littler and James Clarke.

In the field, we made just too many mistakes. Otherwise good overs were spoiled by one bad ball or a costly fielding lapse. As a result Smarden were always around the required run rate. George Duggan and James Leggett were the most economical bowlers with 1 for 15 and 0 for 17 off 4 overs each. Alex Kidd, George Davis and Harry Avis were all expensive. Alex took a good wicket through a stunning slip catch by George Davis.

Adam Hunt almost rescued the match with a maiden first over. Smarden needed 13 off the last two overs and got home at 134 for 3 with two balls to spare. Our extras total was 29 compared with 20 for Smarden. In consolation, there was much to learn from being so near to the final and yet so far.

On 12 July we dominated Sissinghurst, winning our league match comfortably. Sissinghurst made 99 for 7 off their 20 overs. The pitch was green and the ball swung for a change. James Leggett took 2 for 9, Alex Kidd 2 for 13 (and three catches), Harry Avis 2 for 21 and George Duggan 1 for 9. George Davis stood in for Nick Prime as keeper, took two good catches and conceded only two byes, but the extras still reached 20 with too many wides.

A well judged partnership between Alex Kidd (27 not out) and Cameron Laurenson (10 not out) took us to the win at 103 for 4 in the 13th over. Earlier George Davis (17), Zach Osborne (9) and James Leggett (17) had laid the foundations.

We play Bearsted in our final league match on 16 July. At the time of writing we are second in the league with six wins in eight matches. Staplehurst are top after winning all their six matches.

John Higgs

The Under 13's have won two further league matches against Cranbrook and Smarden. Our Kent players, George Davis and Alex Kidd have led the way.

Cranbrook batted first at Burberry Lane on 2 July in hot and dry conditions. We restricted them to 124 for 9. It would have been much less if we had been able to remove one unorthodox batsman who retired and returned to score 41 not out.George Davis took 3 for 14 and Alex Kidd two for 7.

Dominic Smith and Chris Gallie each took 1 for 13 and Matthew Mustill 1 for 3 in one over. Cameron Laurenson took a sharp overhead catch with aplomb.

In reply, Dominic Smith was out early on but George Davis and Alex Kidd both retired on 30. Zach Osborne made a breezy 18 not out and Matthew Mustill made 19. Chris Gallie saw us home in the 15th over, finising on 10 not out. Our total was 128 for 3.

Smarden were a stiffer proposition at Tower House on 4 July

We set a target of 143 for 8. Alex Kidd gave an exhibition of running between the wickets during his 31 (retired). George Davis made 23, Matthew Mustill 21 and Zach Osborne 11. The batsmen who prospered were the ones who watched the ball closely and allowed for some low bounce as well as movement in the air.

Alex Kidd continued his good form with the ball. The opening six overs bowled by Alex and George Duggan were fast and hostile. Some intelligent field placings reduced several edges from 4's to ones or twos. However, as the innings progressed we were unable to keep sufficient pressure on the batsmen to induce mistakes and take wickets.

George Davis bowled 4 excellent overs of leg spin for just 15 runs. The other bowlers were punished for some loose balls. Smarden needed 9 off the final over bowled by George Duggan and scrambled 7, finishing on 142 for 3. George Duggan and Dominic Smith each took a wicket, as did Adam Hunt in his first match for the under 13's. When you win by one run it really is true that every run counts!

Our cup semi-final at Smarden on Sunday 12 July promises to be another close match

John Higgs

This was a match LBJ lost but should have won. A pre match injury to Dominic Smith was perhaps a sign of things to come. Linton Park's batting was deceptively weak. They bowled much better than LBJ who lacked the know how to chase a modest target against tight bowling on such a dry and unreliable pitch.

Linton batted first and were 21 for six before they recovered to 74 for 8 off their 20 overs. Every outfield player had the opportunity to bowl. Harry Avis took 2 for 10 and Zach Osborne 1 for 6, off three opening overs each. Chris Gallie took 2 for 3 off his two overs, two edges confidently taken by Nick Prime behind the stumps. Matthew Mustill took 1 for 11 off 4 overs. George Duggan and Alex Kidd were used sparingly at the end of the innings. A few loose overs in the middle of the innings proved significant. There were 14 extras in wides and no balls. Nevertheless, the teamwork in the field was much improved.

The LBJ reply began with Alex Kidd being caught off the first ball. We continued to offer too many catches and wickets fell too quickly. As the pressure increased, short singles were neglected risks taken with ambitious shots. George Davis threatened to take control before paying the penalty for a lofted drive. Zach Osborne chanced his arm making a spirited 20. Other batsmen were unable to stay with him and give support. LBJ finished 58 all out in only the 18th over.

An opportunity to learn how to adapt to a difficult pitch!

John Higgs

In addition to the fixtures in the card, the rearranged league match v Smarden is now confirmed for Saturday 4 July 3pm at Tower House. The cup match v Marden is confirmed for Sunday 12 July 5pm at Smarden.