Tutt and Patel put Hartley on top

Min Patel 4-14 © Getty Images

Hartley opened up a seventeen point gap at the top of the Shepherd Neame Kent Premier League following a comprehensive win over Tunbridge Wells as their two challengers Bromley and Beckenham both suffered defeats.

At tea on the Nevill, Tunbridge Wells must have had thoughts of lifting themselves from the relegation zone after bowling Hartley out for just 134 with Chris Lawrence taking 4-46 and only James Thomson with an unbeaten 46 showing any real resistance.

However Min Patel (4-14) and Andy Tutt ( 3-13) had other ideas as they demolished the Tunbridge Wells line up, with only two players reaching double figures in a disappointing 62 total. The result propelled Hartley to the top of the table and Tunbridge Wells to the bottom.

Bromley's batting failed them dismally as they fell to a 42 run defeat at the hands of Blackheath. At the half way stage Bromley would have been confident of chasing down the meagre 149 for nine posted by Blackheath that was reached largely due to a useful 47 from Paul Frith.

Blackheath fought hard and a combination of a five wicket haul from James Hands and poor batting by Bromley saw the title chasers reduced to 107 all out.

Beckenham put in a disappointing performance on The Vine against a spirited and determined young Sevenoaks side.

The Vine began brightly with John Bowden looking in fine form. However when he holed out for 77 a flurry of wickets fell to leave the Vine on 150 for five after 30 overs. Simon Cook joined Shami Iqbal and both batted superbly against a below par and disorganised bowling attack. Towards the end of the innings, both opened their shoulders with Cook scoring 30 runs in the final two overs to finish unbeaten 88 and Iqbal also unbeaten on 52.

Bowden chose not to open with Kent man Simon Cook and instead turned to Tom Parsons and Chris Rainger which turned out to be a good choice as Beckenham slumped to 70 for four with the knowledge Cook was still to come.

Only Ollie Howick at the end showed any resistance blasting an unbeaten 88 but the visitors were sent home with their tail firmly between their legs ending on 219 all out. A fine and valuable win for the Vine which almost guarantees them Premier cricket again next year as they pull 32 points away from the relegation zone.

St Lawrence in fourth place have closed the gap on Beckenham to just six points after yet another fine run chase against Gore Court. Set 270 to win, led by a superb century from Dominic Chambers (137 not out) St Lawrence romped home with two overs to spare and five wickets in hand.

Sandwich meanwhile battled well for 20 points against Lordswood and moved off the bottom of the table to within two points of the eighth place safety zone.

On a good batting wicket at Sandwich, the visitors accumulated runs with gusto, Chris Thompson 79, Matt Isles 60 not out, Paul Richards 52, Jeremy Greaves 50 not out to post a formidable total of 297 for five which they would have hoped to defend.

However a brilliant unbeaten 146 by Sam Northeast, well supported by Vishaul Singh (92), got them close and they reached their target with four balls to spare in a fine run chase.

With only two games remaining Hartley now look favourites to take the title from defending champions St Lawrence. They entertain Blackheath this weekend but have to visit Bromley on the final day. If they slip up against Blackheath, that match may become a title decider.

Bromley visit Gore Court on Saturday, St Lawrence travel to Sandwich while Beckenham entertain Tunbridge Wells. These are all must win games for the challengers.

The way results have gone this year any permutations are still possible. Another crucial match on the final Saturday could prove to be at St Lawrence who entertain Beckenham in what also could be a title decider depending on results this coming weekend.

At the other end of the table only four points separate the bottom three, Tunbridge Wells, Sandwich and Lordswood. None have an easy run in and every point now will be crucial to determine who remains in the top flight.