Canterbury registered their first win after their promotion to the Kent League Premier Division after a thrilling victory at home to Hartley Country Club on Saturday.

The hosts made a blistering start at Polo Farm with Piers Richardson and Justin Macvicar taking two wickets apiece as the visitors were left reeling on 17-4.

James Thompson led the visitors’ recovery, cracking five threes and three sixes in a fine 75, but none of his partners could linger and he eventually holed out off Stuart Drakeley to Kent youngster Imran Quyyam - who held four catches - to leave Hartley on 148-8.

Drakeley finished with 4-39 and despite a late flurry from David Thompson (23) and Sam Weller (19), Hartley were 180 all-out as Weller was run-out from the final ball.

In reply the city club were restricted to 75-5 at one stage, however Sam Lowry’s unbeaten 54, aided by 23 from Macvicar and an unbeaten 24 from Quyyam, steered the home side to victory with an over to spare and four wickets in hand.

In the only other game to see some action on a soggy Saturday in the Premier Division Blackheath were firmly in the driving seat when the rain arrived in their clash with Bromley.

Warren Lee (85*) and Kent all-rounder Calum Haggett put on an unbroken 142 for the fifth wicket as Heath posted 307-4 from 52 overs, with Tanweer Sikandar and Chris Willetts also posting half-centuries.

Bromley’s reply began well enough with Daniel Christian making 37 but 93-1 became 115-5 and they were 149-6 from 39 overs when the game was halted.