Gore Court Cricket Club

15/06/2026

One win, one loss on Saturday.

The First XI travelled to high fliers Southfleet Cricket Club after a week of rain, so it was no surprise that the home side chose to bowl first after winning the toss. Against a disciplined bowling attack, Court showed fight but constant wickets continually dragged them down. Manoj Dissanayaka continued his good form with a run a ball 46, including two massive sixes, but the loss of 4 wickets for seven runs shortly after drinks put the breaks on hard. The tail wagged, with Dheeraj Sajeevan (30) and Sam Boyns (31*) adding 39 for the ninth wicket, and the skipper and Aston Monk a further 25 for the last, to boost the score to 167 all out in the last over.

Toby McDonald once again bowled with good pace, unfortunate not to have more to show for his efforts than the solitary wicket. The wicket had eased up, but in truth it was a poor fielding display that let the home side canter home, in spite of a good showing with the ball. Two dropped catches and plenty of misfields let the side down, but the bowlers fought to take the game deep.

The Second XI hosted local rivals Bredgar, winning the toss and choosing to bowl. Jono McDonald soon removed the opener's middle stump to get the ball rolling, but the damage was done with the introduction of Dave Crompton. He picked up three wickets before conceding a run, and went on to nab another two to finish with 5-20 from his nine overs. Jono (3-17), Nigel Sharp (1-5) and Max Lynch (1-36) were the other wicket takers, bowling the visitors out for 92.

Gore Court Hockey Club star Jack Louden opened the bowling for Bredgar, producing an impressive spell of 3-10 in 9 overs, but once he had been seen off, the combination of experience and youth in Matt Tombs (43*) and Jono (33*) comfortably and sensibly saw the side home to maintain the undefeated start to the season.

Next week, the 1st XI travel to Sheppey CC while the 2nd XI host Rodmersham.

05/06/2026

Gore Court Cricket Club is excited to be taking part in Toyota Good For Cricket Prize Draw, to raise much needed funds and give you, our supporters, the opportunity to win big prizes.

For every ticket purchased, you will have a chance to win a prize and 100% of your ticket purchase will come direct to Gore Court CC!

3000 tickets sold will go a long way to purchasing new sight screens, ground equipment and junior equipment, we hope to reach our target but all tickets bought will make a difference.

Every little helps, so please buy as many tickets as you feel able and please do let us know if you are one of the lucky winners. Good Luck!

Toyota Good For Cricket Prize Draw - a fun and easy way to support cricket clubs in the UK!

31/05/2026

A pair of wins for the stand in skippers

Gore Court had to dig deep into the reserves to put out two sides on Saturday with a number of regulars away at the Upward-Brown wedding, but with results still being favourable we don't mind saying a huge congratulations!

The First XI hosted Harvel, who won the toss and elected to bat. On debut for the 1s, Toby McDonald (2-36) threatened in a dangerous opening spell, with last week's hero with the ball Manoj Dissanayaka (2-41) also chipping in to have the visitors 54-4. However, the number of wides and no-balls was quickly racking up at an alarming rate, eventually costing Court 5 extra overs and 30 runs. Max Lynch (2-38) broke the 70 run fifth wicket partnership, while Paul Stevens (1-16) did well to nick off the top scorer. Stand-in captain Llewellyn Bakker (2-53) also picked up a couple of wickets, while Dheeraj Sajeevan had a day out behind the stumps with four catches.

The run chase didn't exactly get off to a flying start, with both openers back in the hutch with just 4 runs on the board, but that brought Manoj to the crease. His powerful hitting and glorious shot making kept the required rate well in check, as he dominated a 96 run partnership with Toby. When he fell for 80 in 61 balls, Toby took over the scoring. Despite the regular tumble of wickets at the other end, he batted with maturity and sense to guide the tail. He added 58 runs in a ninth wicket partnership with Al James (15), who unfortunately fell seven runs short of victory, before seeing the game home with last man Max Lynch (0*) to win by 1 wicket!

The Second XI made the trip to Linton Park under the guidance of Nigel Sharp, who also lost the toss. Court were invited to bat first, and slowly set about building a base as Matt Tombs (47) and Matt Roche (18) added 60 before drinks. When Rochey was out, Jono McDonald (46) came to the crease and batted with restraint to guide the total towards 150, but it was the arrival of Joel Fontenelle at number 6 which provided the innings with real impetus. His quick fire 30 boosted the score to 175-8 at the end of the 40 overs.

Fonty got the defence off to a fast start too, picking up an early wicket, while Rochey's accuracy proved difficult to get away. The chase swung this way and that, before Sharpy removed the dangerous number three and Jono (4-28) put the game to bed with an all-bowled hattrick! Linton ended their innings on 151-8, falling 24 runs short.

Next week the First XI host Upchurch, while the Second XI travel to Borstal. The Gryphons are at home on Monday in Last Man Stands action once again.

25/05/2026

A scorching Saturday sees another mixed bag of results for the club. The 1st XI won the toss and elected to field despite the heat, which looked like a costly decision at 126-2. However, the reintroduction of Manoj Dissanayaka (5-30) turned things around as he ripped through the middle order to leave the score at 152-9 and a gettable score looming. Unfortunately, some l***y blows from the number 11 added 34 important runs and denied the final bowling point to boot.

The run chase got off to a disastrous start, reeling at 35-6 and an early finish on the horizon. As last week though, Faizan Haq (33) was joined by Sam Boyns (39*) to carry out a rescue mission. Together they added 40, looking ready to launch a counter-attack in the final ten overs but Faizan holed out moments before drinks. 75-6 quickly became 78-9 and once again, the focus was on accumulating as many points as possible. The skipper shielded First team debutant Al James from the strike to add 32 more to reduce the margin of defeat but in truth, the batting effort left plenty to be desired.

The 2nd XI kept their winning start going with another comprehensive victory. Toby McDonald (1-9) once again bowled with hostility but no luck, while Nigel Sharp (3-18in 9 overs) put the breaks on an early start. It was the introduction of Joel Fontenelle (4-32) in his first game of the season that really swung the game though, as he knocked over the lower half of the order before Paul Geary (1-1) once again burgled a wicket!

The run chase was patient and methodical, after captain Andy Brown fell early. Gears and Matt Tombs (45* each) added 93 without giving the visitors a sniff, comfortably chasing the target with 8 and a half overs to go and nine wickets in hand.

Next week sees the 1s hosting Harvel, with the 2s travelling to Linton Park. The LMS side are once again in action on Tuesday evening, against RLCC at The Grove.

20/05/2026

The Sunday XI were in action at the weekend, hosting Southfleet Cricket Club. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat, with strike pair Toby McDonald (1-30) and Manoj Dissanayaka (1-27) knocking both openers back early. However, an 80 run partnership for the third wicket came at a rate of knots, until Simon Farrell arrested the momentum of the innings with a key breakthrough. From then on, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals in spite of some average catching, with seven different bowlers all getting on the scoresheet. James Palmer finished the innings with career best figures of 2-17, and was on a hat-trick in the final over.

The run chase was anchored by Louis Newell (71), with confident pulls the highlight of his innings. George Maybanks (17), Llewellyn Bakker (22) and Manoj (20) all spent time in the middle, and although a flurry of late wickets made the death overs interesting, Simon saw the game home with a big smear through mid-wicket, winning the game by three wickets with nine balls to spare!

Thanks to Southfleet for the game, played in excellent spirit. We'll clash against them plenty more before the season is out, being in the same division once again and hoping to also have a return friendly.

18/05/2026

Mixed fortunes for the club this weekend, with the 1st XI narrowly going down against Borstal while the 2nd XI put on a comprehensive performance to beat local rivals Faversham.

At The Grove, the home side won the toss and invited Borstal to have first use of a pitch that had been under covers but still played very well. An early wicket from skipper Sam Boyns provided somewhat of a false dawn, as the batters knuckled down and fought hard for early runs. At drinks, Borstal were 60-1, but wickets in hand meant that they could push far more aggressively in the second half. Jono McDonald (1-40) took his first wicket for the club shortly after the drinks break, but consistent partnerships took the total up towards the 200 mark. Sam Boyns burgled three late wickets to put the breaks on slightly, and after a brief rain delay the innings closed at 202-6.

The run chase got off to the worst possible start, with a wicket off the first ball, bringing Faizan Haq to the crease. He rode his luck but hit the ball hard on his way to a half century, but struggled for support at the other end. Despite the regular loss of wickets, the seventh wicket partnership of Faizan (66) and Sam (42*) managed to just about keep the chance of a win alive, but the required rate continued to climb. After another flurry of wickets, the skipper was joined by last man Max Lynch (16*) with half an eye on bonus points, with some late hitting boosting the final score to 189-9, and a 13 run defeat.

The 2nd XI made the short journey down the A2 to Faversham, where the stand-in skipper Sam James called incorrectly and was asked to bowl. Once again, Toby McDonald (2-20) bowled with very good pace and was unlucky not to get more of a reward, while Sam Miller (1-44) found the early breakthrough. Dave Crompton (3-19) and Nigel Sharp (2-6) were back at their timeless tricks to rattle through the middle order, while Hassan Abbas (2-23) twisted his unique web to great success. The value of bowling straight was demonstrated, with the furniture disturbed eight times and another LBW, the home side being bowled out for 124 in the 37th over.

The Court run chase got off to a disastrous start, with Matt Tombs cleaned up by a searing inswinger, but it was all one-way traffic from there. Paul Geary (55*) and Sam James (54*) added an unbeaten 124 run partnership to seal the win in fine style! The winning start to the season sees the 2nd XI sitting pretty at the top of the table.

Next week, the First XI travel to Gravesend to take on GNG CC, while the Second XI host Orpington Ocelots. The Sunday side make a return journey to Faversham in the inaugural Swale Village Cup. On a related note, the LMS side play their first match of the season tonight, also at The Grove.

10/05/2026

Starting the season in style!

Both Gore Court sides got their respective campaigns underway with strong wins on Saturday. The 1st XI travelled to New Ash Green and won the toss, bowling first on a helpful surface. The unpredictable bounce helped Jimmy Newell strike in the third over, Faizan Haq taking the catch at midwicket. Sam Boyns took a little longer to find his stride, but struck in three consecutive overs before Jimmy finished his spell with another wicket (2-25). Max Lynch (2-17) also found rhythm, restricting the hosts to 37-6 before drinks. The lower order swung the willow and struck a handful of boundaries, which could have proven critical in a low scoring affair but when Llewellyn Bakker (2-34) and Sam Boyns (4-8) cleaned up the tail, the target was set at 94 to win.

Dheeraj Sajeevan (23) impressed on debut, striking five fours before being undone by one that kept low. Faizan Haq (15) and Manoj Dissanayaka (34*) kept the scoreboard ticking over, and although a couple more wickets fell before the winning runs were hit, Court were relatively in control of the chase to win by 6 wickets with nearly half of the overs to spare.

The 2nd XI hosted Kings Hill 4th XI at The Grove, and were invited to have first use of a good looking surface. Paul Geary picked up where he left off last season, top scoring (43) and adding 62 with Ben Dutnall (41). Ben was looking good before spooning a catch which precipitated somewhat of a middle order wobble, falling from 117-2 to 152-8. However, some calculated risk taking from Al James (15) and Nigel Sharp (19*) added a helpful 32 runs, bringing the final score to 184-9 at the end of the 40th over.

Toby McDonald bowled with good pace and was unfortunate not to be rewarded in his opening spell, but Sam Miller (2-30) struck twice at the other end. When Toby came off for a breather, Nigel Sharp (2-32) immediately pounced before Dave Crompton (3-36) burgled some middle order wickets. The gamble to rely on the four main bowlers worked, when Toby (2-21) returned to blast out the tail and nearly seal the win. However, the final four overs were going to have to be shared between Sam James and Paul Geary, until Gears' tempting lob drew the final batter down the pitch to be smartly stumped by Al James to seal a 49 run victory!

Next week sees the First XI hosting Borstal, while the Second XI travel a short way down the A2 to Faversham. The club will also host Southfleet in a friendly on Sunday.

23/03/2026

Your youngsters looking for something to do this summer? Get them into cricket at Gore Court Cricket Club!

Training sessions for ages 6 and up every Friday evening from the end of April, run by our qualified coaches. The bar will be open for parents to grab a drink and enjoy watching in the sun.

Please contact us directly or Sam Boyns on 07950 812470 for more information.

20/11/2025

The Ashes starts tonight in Perth, and England could maybe use a word of advice from some Gore Court legends on how to keep Australian captain Steve Smith quiet out in the middle!

Back in 2007, "Smudge" ended up in the Kent League, playing for Sevenoaks Vine. On June 9th, a few weeks after debuting in their 2nd XI, he was striding out to bat with the score at 18-2 in the Premier League, but the future world number one failed to make an impression. He lasted just five balls and didn't trouble the scorers, caught by Steve Marsh off the bowling of Kev Jones, as The Vine battled to 173 all out in the 50th over.

Marshy (37) opened the chase with pinch hitter and former England bowler Martin McCague (71) as the pair racked up an even century partnership, with the winning runs eventually hit by Sam Northeast in the 27th over. Smith did take a wicket for his troubles, picking up 1-59 in ten overs as Gore Court got home by six wickets.

He isn't the only Australian test player to appear in Sittingbourne. Back on his way to a record breaking 1992 season in which he racked up over 1,000 league runs, Justin Langer racked up 93 in a losing effort at The Grove before he joined the long list of people to have been "Crommo'ed" in the return fixture, as Dave Crompton's return catch saw him off for an ultimately match winning 31. Crommo would like to remind you all that he picked up 6-26 in that match.

Fellow squad member and former world number one Marnus Labuschagne also enjoyed a season in Kent, for Sandwich Town in 2014. While he didn't play at The Grove, he was dismissed by former Gore Court bowler Alex Edwards for the MCC - although a slightly more profitable day for the Aussie, as he racked up 111.

Here's hoping England pull something out of the bag tonight!

19/07/2025

A bit late on the uptake, but here is the recap from last weekend!

The second half of the season got underway, the First XI once again having to play the league leaders after knocking Borstal off top spot the week prior. High Halstow won the toss and elected to bowl, but Faizan Haq (44) saw to it that Court got off to a flyer. He and Ben Dutnall added 56 in quick time, but three wickets in succession put the breaks on. From there, the bowling did well to reign the home side in and regularly found breakthroughs just as partnerships began to threaten, in particular when Majid Sialvi (20) and Olly Patel (22) were dismissed when looking good. Some late hitting boosted the score to 149 all out in the final over.

Sam Boyns (1-31) and Jimmy Newell (0-17) were disciplined in response, Jimmy starting with four maidens on the bounce, but despite drawing a number of false shots, couldn't find the breakthrough. The openers did well to weather the storm, but a strong team effort kept runs down to add an element of doubt to the chase. Manoj Dissanayaka (2-30) chipped in with a couple of wickets immediately after drinks. With a little more luck, a few of the false shots could have gone to hand but in truth, sensible batting showed why High Halstow are sitting pretty at the top of the table as they knocked off the target in the 35th over.

The 2s visited Yalding, where an early drop may well have cost them the game! Dave Crompton (2-26) drew the edge first ball, but the chance was missed and the opening batter went on to score 121 of the home side's 218. Nigel Sharp (5-50) picked up his second five wicket haul of the season, and precipitated a collapse of sorts that one can't help but imagine may have happened a couple of hours earlier if chances were taken!

The run chase stuttered along, punctuated by regular wickets as only Aiden Upward (41) really got going, but with contributions right the way down the order the side did well to drag themselves to a respectable score, bowled out in the penultimate over for 162, 56 runs short.