Hartley sent a strong message to their Kent Cricket League Premier Division rivals on Saturday with a devastating 257-run home victory over Folkestone.

Visitors Folkestone, who earned promotion last season, discovered the brutality of the top tier as Dan Stickels’ century and Daniel Redwood’s bowling display of 5-34 produced one of the largest winning margins ever witnessed in the KCL.

Hartley were sent it to bat and the 2013 champions set a perfect platform as Stickels and Charlie Hemphrey both passed 50.

The latter fell for 53 but Stickels (102) marched on to score his first league century since 2013, which included 13 fours and a six.

Hartley’s dependable middle-order took full advantage of this start as James Thompson (67) and Nick Hendrie (37) pushed the hosts to 312-7 from their allotted 55 overs.

In reply sensational spells from Redwood (5-34) and Andrew Tutt (2-6 from eight overs) tore through Folkestone’s batting order as the visitors crawled to 16-6.

Jake Benfield (3-11) was left to wrap up the tail and seal the most convincing of victories as the visitors were bowled out for just 55.

Despite Hartley’s extraordinary performance, Blackheath remain top of the table after they defeated Sandwich Town on the road by eight runs in a thrilling encounter.

The hosts made early breakthroughs as Blackheath stumbled to 21-3, only for Dipayan Paul (60) and James Kirkham (34) to ease the pressure and post 198-9.

Sandwich’s wicket-keeper batsman Ryan Davies (59) looked set to guide the hosts home with the score 155-4, but a fantastic spell from Jahid Ahmed (5-39) ensured Blackheath bowled the Town out with eight runs to spare.

Bexley remain unbeaten after they defeated reigning champions Sevenoaks Vine by two wickets.

Despite the hosts making a positive start with openers John Bowden (50) and Oliver Durell (34) putting on 65, spinning duo Jasdev Bassan (4-19) and Kent’s Adam Riley (3-39) restricted the Vine to 164.

In reply, George Wells made 30 but watched four team-mates fall cheaply at the other end.

When Wells was dismissed with the score 98-6, a Vine victory appeared likely.

Former Kent and England spinner Min Patel showed his capabilities with the bat, however, to hit an assured 56 to get Bexley over the line with two wickets remaining.

Beckenham (254-9) recorded a comfortable 142-run victory over Tunbridge Wells.

Oliver Howick (101) hit a superb century and received support from Raza Ali Dar (41) and Alex Blake (37) to take the visitors past 250.

Tunbridge’s chase never got going as fantastic spells from William MacVicar (6-53) and Junaid Nadir (2-36) enabled Beckenham to bowl the hosts out for 112.

Bromley (172) also picked up a valuable win as they beat Lordswood (133) by 39 runs.

After electing to bat, the Bromley innings appeared precarious at 7-2, although Scott Barlow (51) and Charles Hartley (46) took the visitors past 170.

Lordswood were in control at 50-1 but Imran Qayyum (6-28) produced the spell of the weekend to halt the chase and bowl the hosts out for 133.

Saturday’s fixtures (12pm start): Beckenham v Sandwich Town, Bexley v Lordswood, Blackheath v Hartley, Bromley v Folkestone.

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