Frontrunners Minster took a giant stride towards winning the Kent League Premier Division title as they were victorious at St Lawrence & Highland Court on Saturday.

Captain Matt Hammond’s 79 guided the hosts to 218 all out while opening bowler James Speer (5-44) shone, even taking three wickets in four balls.

Set a revised target of 199 from 45 overs, Dan Stickels (73) and captain David Masters (62) put on a 134-run opening stand as they cruised to 201-4, despite Sudesh Thakur’s 2-38.

The result leaves Minster some 26 points clear at the summit, St Lawrence & Highland Court dropping down to third.

Hayes lead the chasing pack - 10 points clear of St Lawrence & Highland Court - after they earned an eight-wicket win at defending champions Lordswood.

Jack Laraman’s 52 did the bulk of the work in Lordswood’s 141 all out, Alfie Peck (3-27) the pick of the bowlers.

Finlay Baker and William MacVicar saw Hayes home with 43 not out and 37 not out off 30 balls, respectively.

Sandwich Town remain in the bottom two, despite a rain-affected three-wicket win against Bexley.

Jack Sinfield (42) top scored during Bexley’s 201-9 from 48 overs as Zack Fagg (3-47) sparkled in the field.

Set a revised target of 203 from 48 overs after the elements intervened, captain Tom Chapman anchored the response with 50 before Alex Smith (31 not out) and Sri Lankan overseas Roshan Jayatissa (25 not out) got them to victory.

Kent’s Jas Singh returned 3-41 in a losing cause.

Tunbridge Wells beat Blackheath by seven wickets.

Wicketkeeper Shakeel Ansar (24) top scored in Blackheath’s 137 all out while Sri Lankan Dileepa Jayalath did well, recording figures of 3-29.

Set a revised target of 118 from 34 overs after some rain, Chris Williams (38 from 22 balls) and wicketkeeper Ben Dawkins (37 from 30 balls) ensured Wells comfortably won.

Canterbury are only a point outside the relegation zone with their trip to basement boys Bickley Park abandoned.

Batting first, Canterbury posted 125-9 from 23 overs as Isaac Dilkes and Italian overseas all-rounder Anthony Mosca got 26. Michael Ridley (5-26) best with the ball.

Bickley Park were 44-1 off five overs, chasing a revised target of 130 from 23 overs, when the rain called a halt to proceedings. Skipper Elliot Hooper blasted an unbeaten 21 off 12 balls.