Bexley are the new leaders of the Shepherd Neame Kent League Premier Division.

With previous leaders Hartley Country Club losing at home to Sevenoaks Vine on Saturday, Bexley moved to the top with a 46-run victory over Bromley at Manor Way.

Invited to bat by the visitors, Bexley were grateful to George Wells who scored exactly 100 – the only century of the day – as they toiled to 176 all out.

But Bromley also found the batting conditions difficult and, with Jason Benn claiming 4-38, they were dismissed for 130. Miguel Barbosa top scored with 52.

Hartley suffered a 23-run defeat against a Sevenoaks side who had started the day in ninth place.

Put into bat, Vine began well with Oliver Durell (72) and Luke Blackaby (33) putting on 72 for the first wicket but they received little support and the visitors were bowled out for just 168 with James Hockley taking 4-35.

It looked a relatively easy task for Hartley but Tom Coldman had other ideas, claiming 6-50 as the home side collapsed to 145 all out.

Sibton Park are in second after their six-wicket success at Whitstable, where they bowled out the home side for 153.

Jake Benfield took five wickets and Mike James chipped in with four. Benfield then completed a good all-round performance with 44 and, with Ben Allon adding a half century, Park reached their target inside 32 overs.

Most exciting game of the day was at Foxgrove Road where Beckenham drew with visitors Lordswood.

Half centuries from Alex Blake and James Evans helped Beckenham set a target of 222-6 and Lordswood then looked down and out when they slipped to 95-7 in reply.

But skipper Lyndon Lockhart (84 not out) had other ideas. Supported superbly by Dan Masters (23) and last-man James Murphy (30), he carried Lordswood to within touching distance of an unlikely victory as they started the last over needing three more runs to win.

The pair managed two singles before Murphy was run out on the last ball to leave the match tied – Beckenham’s second tied game in consecutive matches.

Bickley Park picked up a 20-point haul at home to Blackheath.
James Watson top scored for Bickley with an unbeaten 40 as they set a target of 184-6 and Blackeath then crashed to 51 all out in reply.

Only one batsman reached double figures as their innings was ripped apart by Richard Horner (4-19) and Daniel Magin (4-25).