Hartley Country Club are the county’s best team again after winning the Kent League for the fifth time in six years.

Victory at home to Lordswood last Saturday wrapped up the Premier Division title to the delight of skipper Dan Stickels.

Since joining Hartley from Tenterden in 2011, Stickels has enjoyed huge success but captaining a championship-winning side for the first time was extra special.

He said: "It never gets boring winning titles but personally, it’s one of the best ones for me.

"Taking over from Tutty (previous captain Andy Tutt) has been like taking over from Alex Ferguson, it’s huge.

"I’ve played Premier League cricket for nine or 10 years and I’ve learned more
this year than I will ever learn.

"It’s been amazing and I’d advise anyone to give it a go."

Hartley were top for almost the whole season and Stickels hailed the contribution made by every member of his team.

He said: "In previous years, we’ve always had someone like Sam Billings, Matt Coles, Joe Denly or Mitch Claydon but we haven’t had a single Kent player this year.

"It’s been a complete club and team effort. I’m not showing off to other teams but that’s what makes us different to everyone else – we don’t have to rely on one person every week or someone coming back from Kent. We rely on the same 11 blokes every week."

So will Stickels carry on as captain in 2017?

He said: "We’ll have to wait and see. There’s a long winter ahead.

"I’ll still be playing there next year and wanting to win another Premier League title."