The Mote are the early leaders of Shepherd Neame Kent League Division 1 after gaining a winning draw at Canterbury last Saturday.

They are four points clear of second-placed Lordswood. It would have been more but for the fact that they were unable to take the last Canterbury wicket.

Chasing a target of 213-5, Canterbury finished on 146-9 but Mote captain Glen Aukett (pictured) was still satisfied with his side’s performance.

He said: "Because it was a bit windy and overcast, I was in two minds about batting first after winning the toss.

"But credit to Canterbury, they have produced a good track and I decided to back our batting line-up and as in our first game at Folkestone, the top order again produced the goods."

James Hodgson (65) and Daniel Thirkell (52) led the way and there were also useful contributions from Ed De Lucy, who hit a quickfire 32, and opener Tom Harvey (21).

After making a solid start in reply, Canterbury suffered a clatter of wickets against Australian Kim Daley (4-51) and Aukett (3-18). But wicketkeeper Simon Smith then held up Mote’s progress with a stubborn 40 before the last-wicket pair added to their frustration.