Hartley Country Club have opened up a massive 61-point lead at the top of the Shepherd Neame Kent League, Premier Division following their 44-run victory at Bromley on Saturday.

James Thompson scored his second successive century as he figured in a 168-run fourth-wicket stand with Charlie Hemphrey (81) which enabled Hartley to set a stiff target of 312-6.

Bromley openers Calum Basey (102) and Richard Clinton (67) put on 147 for the first wicket but it was achieved below the required run rate and when the middle order tried to increase the tempo, wickets fell as Hartley secured their 10th consecutive win.

Meanwhile, their nearest challengers, Bickley Park, were going down to their third defeat of the season at Sevenoaks Vine.

Luke Blackaby (88) provided the foundation for the Vine’s total of 243-8 and although Daniel Magin (84) helped Bickley Park recover from a poor start, they were bowled out 25 runs short of their target.

Down at the bottom, Whitstable finally won their first match of the season at the 14th attempt, beating Bexley by 65 runs at The Belmont.

Batting first, Whitstable set a modest target of 188 all out, Jake Guinan and Ben Purcell joint top scoring with 38.

However, the Bexley batsman struggled even more and the visitors were dismissed for 123, with Nick Bills taking 4-40.

It was a different story at Beckenham where the home side piled up 347-4 thanks to a fourth-wicket stand of 225 between William MacVicar (169 not out) and James McCulloch.

Sibton Park were never in the hunt as they slipped to a 154-run defeat, Ben Allon top scoring with 71.

Jahid Ahmed cracked an unbeaten 110 off 65 balls – with 18 4s and three 6s – to lead Blackheath to a 10-wicket victory at Lordswood.

The home side were bowled out for 194, skipper Linden Lockhart making 78 and then the Blackheath openers took command with Ahmed and Kent player Daniel Bell-Drummond (77 not out) sweeping them to victory in just 23.1 overs.