Defending champions Lordswood lead the Kent League Premier Division after edging to victory at St Lawrence & Highland Court on Saturday to make it three wins from three this summer.

Half-centuries from wicketkeeper Max Wood (70) and Joe Gordon (63) helped the Medway club post 252-4, Oliver Curtiss taking 2-46 for the hosts.

In reply, St Lawrence & Highland Court found themselves 110-5 and, although Curtiss (69 not out) also did superbly with the bat, they could only reach 248-9.

Jack Laraman (3-38) was the pick of Lordswood’s bowlers.

Sandwich Town got off the mark in their league campaign at the third attempt, earning a 71-run win at third-placed Minster.

Wicketkeeper Ryan Davies top scored with 61 during their 201 all out, supported by Tom Chapman (42) and Kit Keey (32), while Minster’s opening bowler Bill Prideaux returned fine figures of 6-28.

Brothers Alex Smith (3-20) and Rory Smith (3-28) opened the bowling and combined well to leave the home team well short, despite wicketkeeper Quinn Sunde’s 40.

Bexley moved up to second with a six-wicket win at home to Canterbury.

Batting first, the visitors recovered from 82-5 to make 178 all out. Italian international all-rounder Anthony Mosca (64) led the way, Freddie Foster taking three wickets.

Mosca also claimed two wickets but Bexley reached 179-4 as Aiden Griggs top scored with 59.

Early basement boys Tunbridge Wells went down by three wickets against Bickley Park.

Opening batsman Sahil Shah’s 61 steered them to 176 all out while Ranjit Singh returned 4-26 from 8.5 overs.

Matthew Barker, opening the bowling for Tunbridge Wells, claimed 4-16 from his 10 overs but a half-century by skipper Elliot Hooper (66) helped the visitors across the line with an over to spare.

Blackheath cruised past Hayes by 61 runs.

A half-century from George Wells (57) steered Blackheath to a 50-over total of 190-9, with Scott Gallagher taking three wickets.

Hayes were then reduced to 36-5 in reply and, although Gallagher dug in for 47, they were skittled for 129 in the 40th over.

Matthew Golding claimed three wickets, which included two in an over.