Charlie Hemphrey with 151*

The leadership of the Premier Division changes once again, as, after a comprehensive win over Tunbridge Wells, Hartley head the pack by one point from Lordswood, but with only 24 points separating the top six, the race to the title is still wide open with five more games to go and 90 points up for grabs.

On a day with the bat dominating, no less than 2,223 runs were scored in the Premier Division, with new leaders Hartley a major contributor. Hartley amassed 346-3 at the Nevill, thanks to a scintillating partnership of 263 between Dan Stickels (below) and Charlie Hemphrey (right) who both scored 151, the latter remaining not out at the close of the Hartley innings. Such a chase would prove hard for any side and Tunbridge Wells fell a way short, despite 59 by Gregor Patterson, they were bowled out for 199, the wickets spread evenly amongst the Hartley attack.

Lordswood are right on Hartley's tail after an impressive 75 run win over visitors and last weeks leaders, Bromley. Lordswood elected to bat but did not find batting easy against a steady Bromley attack. Chris Vernon made a useful 65 and Chris Piesley 45 as Lordswood edged towards 217-9, Tom Mees the leading Bromley bowler with 3-53 and a tight spell of 2-19 by skipper James Butterfill. Stalwart Kevin Masters put pay to Bromley's hopes of a successful chase taking 4-27 as unusually the Bromley batting, Butterfill apart with 69, fell to pieces, as they collapsed to 142 all out.

Blackheath are only 14 points off the lead and did their case no harm with a 73 run victory over inconsistent Bickley Park. Blackheath elected to bat but found quick scoring difficult against a well-organised Bickley attack. Zobie Sharif scored 49 and Aaron Alley 53 as Blackheath accumulated 217-9 at the end of their 50 overs. Beckley's batting was disappointing with some indifferent shots played against some disciplined Blackheath bowling, Warren Lee taking 3-42 and George Wells 3-25 as Bickley crumbled to 144 all out, only Abhijit Kale showing some grit with 40.

The Mote lift themselves off the bottom of the table with a much needed victory over Bexley whilst fellow strugglers Sibton Park went down to a rampant Sevenoaks Vine. The Mote batted first at Manor Way and found the Bexley track and bowling attack to their liking as Chris Back made an unbeaten 104, Tom Harvey 90 and Matt Coles 73 as they raced to 303-2 from their 50. Bexley had few answers to this total as they were bowled out for 145, Tom Harvey taking 4-29, as the Mote recorded only their second win of the season by the high margin of 158 runs.

Sibton Park did not enjoy their trip up to Sevenoaks as they were sent home suffering a defeat by 154 runs. They may have regretted inviting their hosts to bat first as John Bowden notched up 85 and Fabian Cowdrey an unbeaten 97 as the Vine charged to a formidable total of 332-5. In reply, Lorne Burns took 4-25 as Sibton lost regular wickets chasing such a big total and were bowled out for 178 after 41 overs.