1:20pm Tuesday 8th July 2008
By Paul Green
HARTLEY went 14 points clear at the top of the Kent Cricket League Premier Division on Saturday after an emphatic five-wicket success against Bromley.
James Hockley was the hero for the New Ash Green side, taking 4-33 as the visitors were dismissed for 190, and still remaining at the crease on 109 not out as Hartley comfortably reached the target.
Beckenham were on the wrong end of a surprise five-wicket home defeat against struggling St Lawrence at Foxgrove.
Chris Isles struck 52 runs for Becks and they appeared to be in control on 104-3 when he was finally caught by Lewis Jenkins.
However, aside from Oliver Howick (34), Beckenham's remaining batsmen struggled to make any impact and they eventually reached 216-9 from the allotted 55 overs.
Alistair Owen-Browne (2-28) did his best to prevent defeat, but St Lawerence (218-5) secured victory with three overs to spare.
Blackheath slipped into the drop zone after a six-wicket reverse at Lordswood.
Peter Dean (58), Seb Slater (41) and Paul Frith (34) made useful contributions for the visitors as they set a reasonable target of 213-8.
But only Riv Monsell (2-37) came close to matching their efforts with the ball and Lordswood (216-4) eased to victory.
Bexley returned to winning ways in the KCL First Division title race after last week's defeat with an eight wicket win over Broadstairs.
Broadstairs won the toss and opted to bat first, but they were dismissed for 172 and Bexley lost only two wickets in reply as they eased to a comfortable success.
Dartford (288-4) regained top spot in the KCL Second Division with a 152-run triumph over Hythe (136 all out).
In the same division, Harvel (250-8) collected a winning draw against Bromley Common (243-9).
Dave Freebody (57 not out) top scored for Harvel, while Andrew Thompson (3-66) claimed a hat-trick of wickets.
In Division Five, Sidcup (167-9) could not reach the target set by Rainham (201-7), while Bexleyheath (251-6) beat BOCA (178 all out) by 73 runs to climb off the foot of the table.
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