Lordswood's Chris Vernon during his innings of 65 Picture: Peter Still

There are new leaders again in the Shepherd Neame Kent League Premier Division after Saturday's run-filled series of matches.

Hartley Country Club dislodged Bromley from top position after piling up 346-3 against Tunbridge Wells at the Nevill, where Dan Stickels and Charlie Hemphrey both hammered the home attack for 151 in a scintillating third-wicket partnership of 263.

Hemphrey was still there at the close after hitting his third century of the summer, and when Wells replied they were predictably never in the hunt as they were bowled out for 199.

On a day when 2,223 runs were scored in the five Premier Division matches, Lordswood moved into second place, only one point behind Hartley, after a 75-run win Bromley.

Opener Chris Vernon (65) top scored for Lordswood as they set a target of 217-9 and then the normally strong Bromley batting line-up found it hard going against Kevin Masters (4-27) and Alistair Neale (3-12) as they were dismissed for 142.

Fourth-placed Blackheath are only 14 points off the lead after their 73-run victory at Bickley Park.

Aaron Alley (53) and Zobie Sharif (49) were the chief contributors to Blackheath's total of 217-9, and then Warren Lee and George Wells claimed three wickets apiece to help remove Park for 144.

With fellow strugglers Sibton Park losing at Sevenoaks Vine, The Mote lifted themselves off the bottom of the table with a 158-run success at Bexley.

The Mote batsmen found the Manor Way track to their liking with Chris Back (104 not out), Tom Harvey (90) and Matt Coles (73) playing the lead roles as the Maidstone side raced to 303-2 from their 50 overs.

Skipper Harvey then took 4-28 as Bexley were bowled out for 145, giving The Mote only the second win of the season.

Sibton Park skipper Steve Hobbs invited Sevenoaks Vine to bat and then watched the home side charge to a formidable total of 332-5. Fabian Cowdrey (97 not out) and John Bowden (85) led the way and then Lorne Burns took 4-25 as the Lyminge side were dismissed for 178, giving Vine victory by 154 runs.