Hartley set down a title marker on day one

Having won the toss and chosen to bat first, Blackheath made the worst possible start when opening batsman Chris Willetts was caught for nought by David Thompson off Andrew Tutt’s delivery.

Daniel Bell-Drummond (6) and Jahid Ahmed (9) quickly followed to leave Blackheath up against it on 15-3.

Having already claimed the scalp of Bell-Drummond, Hartley bowler Daniel Redwood took a quick hat-trick by dismissing Warren Lee (7) and Charlie-Sid Speller (4) to leave the hosts deep in trouble on 26-5.

It soon became 32-6 as Duncan Willetts (6) was caught by Jake Hutson, Redwood (4-23) again the man delivering the fatal ball.

Blackheath’s woeful batting effort was put into context by the fact James Landell (12) and James Hands (5) combined to produce their most profitable partnership on a miserable day.

Hartley’s Jack Laraman (3-12) took a late trio of wickets to dismiss the hosts for a paltry 65 in just 30 overs, a target the visitors reached within 12 overs thanks to James Hockley (43no) and Dan Stickels (19no), the seven extras taking them to 69-0.

Bexley (184-8) also enjoyed a winning start on day one thanks to a two-wicket triumph over Sevenoaks Vine (180-6).

Sevenoaks were put into bat first, but were restricted to 180 from their 55 overs, with Adam Riley (2-50) claiming a pair of visiting wickets.

The early response from the home side was impressive, opening duo Jack Wells (28) and Jimmy Perison (29) helping them up to 66-2.

Jack Wells was replaced at the crease by George Wells, whose tally of 63 helped Bexley reach 170-6 and they wrapped up victory with just under an over to spare.

Charlie Walker (49) just missed out on a half century for Bromley (163 all out) in a six-wicket defeat at Sibton Park (164-4).

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