The changes to the Kent Cricket League structure meant that 2023 saw the 1st XI playing Division 1 cricket and our ambition (as always) was to gain promotion. We had a couple of new players join the club in Lewis Hickford and Ian Mclean, and also welcomed Lachie Crump back for a second season as our overseas player.

It was always going to be tough to match the highs of the 2022 season. There were a few opportunities that we let slip when we were in good positions, and we also came up against some good teams. We were still challenging for promotion in the last few weeks, and ended up finishing a very respectable fourth. I want to congratulate all the guys on the successes that we enjoyed and remind them that we’re still a young club. The amazing success of the last few years shouldn’t detract from what has been a very good year.

Well done to Miles Richardson on another excellent all-round season, and to Lachie who managed 24 wickets despite a nagging injury.

Over the season we learnt a lot about ourselves, both as a team and as individuals. There were games where we can look back and think we could have done more to get over the line. But we’ll always look to take the positives from the games we lost and I believe we’ll grow from the experience and be stronger next year. We also aimed to work on the role that the First XI play in the social side of the club and it was great to see many players staying at the club after Saturday matches to share a drink and a chat with other teams. The social side of the club is so important to its continued development and it’s an area where we can all play a part.

Another year together, working and training hard, and we’ll be aiming to be up at the top of the league in 2024! Thanks as always for the support, and to those volunteers to help to keep the club running smoothly.

Jamie Green

2nd XI - KCL Division 7 Spitfire
1st place - Won 13 Lost 0

In 2023 our aim was always promotion. After winning the old Division 4 last year we felt that was an achievable goal in the new structure. We were placed in the Spitfire stream of the new KCL division 7, which included predominantly teams from south London. Some of the away wickets proved challenging and we saw that in the scorecards. This was made more difficult with the early season weather, with three friendly and and four league abandonments through the year.

There were some challenging batting conditions early on, and I feel that that was where we really won the league. We were batting down to numbers eight and nine most weeks, but we dug deep and found ways to win tight games. Games that spring to mind here are away to LESSA, where Chris Bryant scored a match winning 61 not out. And then again at Bromley Town when Lucas Fawell scored a very good 47 after a top order collapse. Away to Wickham Park would prove to be the lowest scoring and closest game for us. In a rain affected and shortened match we chased down 140 and got over the line with three balls spare. Chris Bryant and Ben Taylor got us close to the target after Josh Fawell picked up four wickets .

Alex Richards scored runs throughout the season and showed why he is an England international over 50 player. His class was evident in the six games he played. (Hopefully a few more next year, Al?)

With the ball, the spin twins Jack Cook and Sohail Khan stopped the rot time and time again. They often turned the tide for us, bowling in tandem to slow things right down and pick up wickets every game. A huge contribution.

I’d like to say what a huge part the new players played for the 2nds this year, including brothers Alex and Jake Rose and Ben Newmarch. They came in and their fantastic attitude was a real positive for me and the team. Ben and Alex opened the bowling on many occasions and set the tone with their all round efforts and willingness to do whatever was asked of them. From a skipper’s point of view that is massively appreciated .

One player that isn’t as young as the others but who had what I consider his best year with the club is Werner Laubscher. Unlucky to still be waiting on his maiden ton, but with scores of 95, 73, and two scores in the forties he has had a terrific year with the bat, finishing as our top scorer and averaging 47. And obviously he bowled his heart as usual!

Also a word to Harry Keeping, both for his tidy work behind the stumps as well as all his help as vice-skipper. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes.

Played 18. Won 13. Abandoned 4. Conceded 1. Lost 0.

Through the efforts of the 28 players who represented the 2nd XI this year we achieved the rare feat of an unbeaten season. That doesn’t happen often and we can be very proud of the way the team battled through and earned those results. Thanks to a fantastic group of players, young and old, who are already looking forward to Division 6 next year and beyond. Up the hill!

Neil Taylor

Third XI - KCL Division 9 Knott
1st Place - Won 13 Lost 1

Coming into the 2023 season, the Third XI had a clear primary objective - to gain promotion within the new KCL structure. We also knew that the changes to our relationship with Leybourne Cricket Club over the winter would mean a number of new players representing the club in the thirds. We were committed to developing those relationships and the Kings Hill culture.

We started the season with five convincing wins, before our solitary loss for the year to eventual runners up New Ash Green. We started to see the core of our team take shape, with runs coming from a number of players in the top order.

We lost Dave Sutton to a very unfortunate achilles injury in June, after he’d averaged 47.5 in the first five matches! There were also a few casualties to the early start of the football season. But we welcomed Nathan Faulkes to the club and Hasham Khan took up a regular spot in the middle order, helping us to keep momentum. We had 20 half-centuries between eleven different players, highlighting the depth available to the team this season. Nathan had a fantastic start to his Kings Hill career, scoring four fifties and averaging 90 in his seven league innings for the Thirds this season!

There were a couple of very tight wins mid-season. Who can forget Matt Blewett and Mick Boreham taking us to a one wicket win against Linton? Or holding on to win by two runs at Hunton? But after those, we got back into our stride, scoring our season-high 344 in the next match and going on to deliver some big runs and solid wins in the final weeks.

Dave Sutton, Ryan Carter, James Pude, Sam Hasler, Ashley Ulph, Neil Miller, Jack Bray, Hash Khan and Ben Buet all played important knocks. With the ball, our regular pace attack of Matt Ellis, Tom Bray and Ben Clarke delivered consistently, supported by Hash later in the season. Contributions from Jack Bray, Atif Bhatti and Alex Gethin meant the captain always had options available. There were notable five-fors for Tom, Ben and Hash, with Tom finishing top of the wicket pile with 29.

The upside of the success on the field, was a Champion season for the Third XI, winning the league and earning promotion next season. That is an awesome achievement in and of itself. But equally satisfying was the way that the team developed through the season, combining Kings Hill regulars and those new to the club. We quickly saw a spirit and commitment within the team and can confidently say the guys were proud to represent Kings Hill.

It has been an extremely positive and rewarding season. We had 37 different players represent the side at least once this season, and all contributed in some way. Thanks to all the players and our loyal band of supporters. We’re already looking forward to the 2024 season and what the next few years hold.

Rich Clarke

Fourth XI - KCL Division 13 Knott
4th place - Won 7 Lost 5

As this was the first year in the league for the Kings Hill 4th XI there was a lot to be learnt, from a new captain and leadership group, to a lot of juniors playing their first ever games of senior league cricket.

It was a slow start to the year which reflected an unstable team sheet week to week, with 40 different players representing the team over the season. Results didn’t always go our way, but we built a steady and strong team throughout the year and performances continued to improve. One highlight was ending the unbeaten streak of the champion team! It ended up that we were the only team to defeat a very strong Dartford side the whole season. We finished a creditable fourth.

Of course there were some memorable individual performances too. Rich (the keeper) 4fer, Harry Allen becoming a stable opening bowler and consistent all rounder for the team at the ripe old age of 12, and Alex Paiba getting his maiden 50, even though he’s our opening fast bowler!

All in all we had a lot of great games played in the right spirit but also in a competitive mindset. We learnt a lot about players and we’re bound to go from strength to strength in future years.

Nic Trueb

Sunday 1st XI - KVL Two
3rd place - Won 4 Lost 3

With the season now finished and summer coming to an end, the KVL side can look back on our first campaign in Division 2. We finished in third place, a fine season from all and a great effort from everyone who was involved. We missed out on the top two places with losses to both those teams above us. Both were tight games, losing in the last over against Mersham and falling just short in our chase against Smarden. Both are top teams who thoroughly deserve to be promoted. Well done.

Bringing it back to ourselves I would just like to thank all the players and especially our umpire, Kevin, who umpired all the games we played this season. A great effort as always for Kev.

As always, we can’t wait to get going again next season. We recently found out that due to us finishing third and a team in Division 1 dropping down, we’ve been invited to join Division 1 next season. That’s great news for the club and for us as a team, effectively our third back-to-back promotion! (Albeit under different circumstances this season;))

Winter well, everyone. We look forward to playing Division 1 Kent Village League cricket for the first time in the club’s history next year! Cheers.

Jack Cook