Hartley Country Club require just five points to retain the Shepherd Neame Kent League Premier Division title despite suffering a rare defeat in the win/lose format on Saturday.

They picked up eight bonus points from their 84-run loss at home to Beckenham and, with another home game to come this weekend, the champagne may already be on ice at Culvey Close.

However it was a Beckenham player, Alex Blake, who stole the show on Saturday with a sparkling 144 as the visitors made 288 all out. Then, only James Hockley (84) made a major contribution in Hartley’s run chase as they finished on 204-9.

Second-placed Bickley Park picked up the maximum 18 points from their visit to Bexley.

The home side elected to bat but soon found themselves in trouble due to a fiery spell of 5-41 from Barry Hooper and they were eventually dismissed for 156. Bickley lost four wickets for 88 in reply but Dan Magin scored an invaluable 68 to steer his side to a four-wicket victory.

Bromley scrambled to a two-wicket win in a low-scoring match at Sevenoaks Vine.

Wayne Morgan and Dominic Reed took three wickets apiece as they dismissed the Vine for 135, but Bromley found batting no easier, However, skipper James Butterfill guided them home with an unbeaten 33.

Sibton Park were left to rue inviting Lordswood to bat first as the visitors posted a sizeable total of 278-8 with Lyndon Lockhart scoring 69, Fabian Cowdrey 68 and Shaun Piesley 50.

The Lyminge side were then bowled out for 159, with Adeel Hussein taking 4-40. This Saturday, Sibton Park travel to Sevenoaks Vine for a match which could decide one of the relegation places.

In the final match, Blackheath secured a three-wicket win at Whitstable in another low-scoring encounter.