HARTLEY lead the way in the Kent Cricket League Premier Division title race following Saturday’s nail-biting three-run win over Bickley Park.

Opener Dan Stickels was the man who made the difference, weighing in with 70 runs for a Hartley side who were dismissed for 224 in 46 overs.

Phil Browning (4-41) claimed Stickels’ wicket in an impressive spell with the ball, but he was bowled out by James Thompson to leave the visitors on 88-4.

And even though Bickley Park were only to lose two more wickets in Chris Coulson (65) and Ben Leale-Green (46), time ran out as they reached 221-6 from their allotted 50 overs.

Leaders Hartley are level on points with second-placed Bexley, who enjoyed a four-wicket success at Lordswood.

Lordswood were in serious trouble early on as they were torn apart by the bowling skills of Maruf Chowdhury (3-33) and Jason Benn (2-33) to put them on a perilous 31-5.

They recovered well to post 207-6 but Bexley batsman Min Patel (82) was in determined mood and the visitors reached the target with four overs to spare.

This year’s battle for the league crown remains extremely tight, with Blackheath just one point behind the top two after beating Bromley by 94 runs.

Bromley won the toss and put Blackheath into bat, although they struggled to remove opener Daniel Bell-Drummond (59).

When he was eventually caught by Sadiq Hassan, hosts Bromley stood on 115-3 and they eventually scored 272-8.

Blackheath duo James Hands (3-17) and Chris Willetts (3-26) each claimed a trio of wickets.

And when Bromley’s top scorer Wayne Morgan (75) was finally bowled by Willetts and caught by Jahid Ahmed, the home side were all out for 178.

Beckenham (259) moved out of the relegation zone and gave their survival hopes a massive boost with a shock 156-run triumph over Sevenoaks (109), the league leaders going into the game.

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