Early Shepherd Neame Kent League Premier Division pacesetters Blackheath romped to a 193-run victory over Bromley on Saturday.

After being invited to bat they posted a formidable target of 289-6 thanks chiefly to Mohammad Ashraful who scored exactly 100 while Jamal Patterson and Kent's Daniel Bell-Drummond both chipped in with half centuries. Demoralised Bromley were soon in trouble in reply and were bowled out for just 96.

Bexley are in second place after their four-wicket win over Lordswood. Former Kent spinner Min Patel took 4-40, including a hat-trick, as the Medway team were bowled out for 175 batting first with only Lyndon Lockhard (68) making a substantial contribution.

Lordswood made a better showing with the ball but, with George Wells scoring an unbeaten 74, Bexley eventually got home with four-wickets and two overs to spare.

Defending champions Hartley Country Club scored their first win of the new campaign with a five-wicket success at Bickley Park.

Hartley invited Bickley Park to bat and their frugal attack restricted the home side to 170-6 from their 55 overs. Hartley then approached their run chase in an orderly fashion, Sam Billings scoring 41 and James Thompson finishing unbeaten on 51 as they achieved victory in the 46th over.

The two newly promoted teams, Canterbury and Beckenham, had mixed fortunes with the former securing a winning draw over Tunbridge Wells while Beckenham were involved in a losing draw against Sevenoaks Vine.

Wells captain Evert Bekker decided to put Canterbury in at the Nevill and then had to watch the visiting openers, James Lilley (109) and Dominic Cambers (59) put on 151 for the first wicket. However. once Chambers departed Bekker brought his side back into contention, claiming 5-71 as Canterbury finished on 227-9.

Bekker then chipped in with 49 as Wells earned a draw on 200-9 despite the best efforts of Justin Macvicar (4-57) and Matt Jenkinson (3-44).

At Foxgrove Road, Sevenoaks Vine batsman Fabian Cowdrey finished unbeaten on 99 and was unlucky not to complete his century from a single off the fourth ball of the final over, with the umpire awarding a leg bye. Ollie Howick also scored 77 for Sevenoaks as they set a target of 232-3, and when Beckenham replied a fifth-wicket century partnership between William Macvicar (93) and Jason Bilimoria (54 ) took them to within sight of victory.

But then a late clatter of wickets saw Beckenham hanging on for a draw on 193-9. Tom Parsons took 5-57 for Sevenoaks.