Batsman Sam Northeast has set his sights on scoring the runs to help Sandwich Town in their bid to return to the Shepherd Neame Kent Cricket League Premier Division.

Northeast’s absence from Kent’s LV= County Championship side last week proved to Sandwich’s benefit on Saturday.

The opener (pictured) smashed a superb 143 off 139 balls to help Sandwich pile up 278-7 against The Mote at The Butts in Kent League Division 1.

Although the Maidstone side made a spirited response with the bat to deny Sandwich victory, the home side’s winning draw was enough to take them top of the fledgling Division 1 table.

The 22-year-old, left out of Kent’s game against Northamptonshire at Canterbury, began his Kent League career with Sandwich before joining the county’s Academy and said after Saturday’s innings: "I felt in good form when I scored a century for Kent 2nds (against Sussex) last week and I just continued it on and hopefully there will be more to come.

"They always make me feel so at home down here so it’s nice to come back and score some runs.

"If I’m free I’ll always be happy to play for Sandwich and hopefully I can help get the club back into the Premier Division this season."

Sandwich captain Stuart Smith added: "Sam showed against the Mote the sort of class player he is. He didn’t put a foot wrong and it’s an unexpected and wonderful boost for the club to have him back."