Batting first, Wingham posted a formidable 6/273 from their 40 overs before dismissing Old Bar for just 117 in 24 overs. After the loss of Josh Davis’s wicket for 2, Scowen and Brock Hynes joined in a new club record second wicket stand of 175, the pair scoring at five runs per over.

Scowen gave an early chance when dropped on 7, but proceeded to his 50 in even time off 46 balls, hitting four 4s and a 6.

Hynes, opening in the absence of Ben Jonas who has now left the club after one game to play with Taree West, was more restrained, taking 83 minutes, from 51 balls and 5 fours for his half century. The stand was broken when Hynes was bowled for 62, with Scowen sitting on 99, and betters the previous record of 160 set in 1947/48 by Jock Witchard and J Leonard.

Scowen survived consecutive dropped chances on 78, and hit another five boundaries before finally passing the coveted century milestone shortly after, from 97 balls in 98 minutes. The classy left hander was eventually bowled on 109, having now scored 410 runs at an average of 68 already this season. Ryan Williams made 14 and Matt Essery 23, whilst assisting Ryan Morris bolster the innings total in the final overs. Morris was in excellent touch and was dismissed from the final ball for 41.

The Old Bar bowling attack was admittedly under strength due to injuries to Dave Rees and Reece Whitton, but toiled manfully, with Hugh Polson the best with 2 for 50. Liam O’Neill claimed 2 for 19 at the end, whilst Mark Polson and Craig Watson claimed a scalp each.

Ryan Williams has been unable to bowl for a couple of weeks due to a back complaint and the rest worked wonders as he tore into his work, returning career best figures of 6 for 54 from his eight overs. He had both openers caught behind the wicket by his second over and when Mick Stinson held a screamer in the gully off Ben Cole (14) Williams had removed Old Bar’s hopes of victory.

Only some strong driving from Dave Rees, who made 58, prevented a capitulation by the seasiders as Williams rolled through the middle order.

Steve Allwood proved the perfect foil at the other end and should have had a wicket first ball, but finished wicketless with 0 for 27. Davis claimed the wicket of Rees for a 1/15 return and Stinson got the hook after claiming a wicket with his first ball.

Under 16 bowler, Brodie Guppy was rewarded with a wicket on debut and bowled an excellent line and length before Scowen, who specializes in removing the tail, finished the innings in his first over.

The win means Wingham have qualified first for the Johnny Martin Cup final to be played on Australia Day. The first two-day match commences this Saturday when Wingham take on United at Chatham.

PS: Congratulations to Lee Niven who also posted the first century of his career with 120 not out in Third Grade against Mount George.