The battle to win the second promotion spot in Shepherd Neame Kent League Division 1 is shaping up to be a real dogfight.

Although runaway leaders Lordswood already have one hand on the trophy, who will go up with them is still wide open.

Hythe and Whitstable are in joint second spot on 120 points, with The Mote third on 119 and Sandwich in fourth place with 109.

The Mote made the most of their fixture against bottom club Canterbury last Saturday, chalking up a six-wicket victory.

Tom Harvey (4-45) and Glen Aukett (3-39) combined to help remove Canterbury for 198, but The Mote were wobbling at 84-4 in reply before opener James Marriott (87 not out) and Chris Back (57 not out) came together in an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 117 that secured their side’s fourth win of the season.

The Mote meet another of the division’s strugglers on Saturday when they are away to second-from-bottom Orpington.