Premier Division pacesetters Hartley Country Club take a 16-point lead into the final two weekends of the Shepherd Neame Kent League season after beating Canterbury by 30 runs.

And it means their match against second-placed Sevenoaks Vine on Saturday could prove a title decider.

James Hockley, right, set up Hartley’s latest win with his third century in four games. The former Kent player struck 123 from 114 balls in their 271 all out.

Canterbury produced a brave response, led by Paul Steer (60) and Dominic Chambers (46), and then Benedict Kemp (43) and Stuart Drakeley (24) added an unbeaten partnership of 73 for the ninth wicket but they had been left with too much to do. Sam Weller took 4-32.

In the clash between second and third, Sevenoaks Vine defeated Blackheath by five wickets.

Beckenham paceman Will MacVicar (4-14) tore through the Bexley top order but then Sandeep Bains (71 not out) and Min Patel (44) led the recovery as they finished on 165 all out. Beckenham reached their target with six wickets in hand, Raza Ali Dar top scoring with 41.

Bickley Park have been drawn into the relegation battle after their 53-run defeat at Tunbridge Wells.

Gregor Patterson (68) and Rob Ferley (55) steered Wells to a total of 260-7 and the home side restricted Bickley Park to 207-7 in reply, with James Lincoln making 68 and Julian Ramsay 53 not out.

Lordswood suffered a 28-run defeat at home to Bromley.

Skipper James Butterfill led the way with 84 as Bromley set a target of 222, and then Wayne Morgan took 4-40 as Lordswood were bowled out for 193. Opener Kevin Jones top scored with 67.