Blackheath retained their slender three point lead at the top of the Shepherd Neame Kent Premier League League as both they and Sevenoaks Vine continued winning ways on Saturday, to land 20 points a piece.
Blackheath emerged victors in high scoring match at the Rectory Field over Canterbury. The home side elected to bat and a fourth wicket stand of 122 between Tanweer Sikandar who ended on 94 and Callum Haggett 77, set the platform and a useful 34 from Warren Lee helped in taking them to 291 for nine at the close.
The Blackheath total may have been even more sizeable had it not been for Charlie Hartley who took 6-72. Canterbury made a spirited reply with both Simon Smith and Stuart Drakeley making 54 and Justin Macvicar 43. They always seemed to be just in the hunt but in the end were bowled out for 278, which was 13 runs short of the target with 13 balls remaining.
Sevenoaks Vine meanwhile made hay in a match reduced to 70 overs. John Bowden plundered his first century of the season making 106 from 110 balls and well supported by Luke Blackaby 60, powering the Vine to an impressive 228 for four at the half way stage.
Lordswood were in disarray at 14 for four, Miles Richardson and Tom Parsons grabbing two apiece, but Terry Rollock and Matt Greenwood began the repair the damage. The introduction of Luke Blackaby saw the end of Rollock for 44 and when Greenwood was dismissed for 56, Blackaby cleared out the lower order, ending with 4-36, to see Lordswood all out for 158.
Bickley Park, Bexley and Beckenham all had disappointing days again with the bat and all suffered heavy defats.
After a rare run of three defeats, Hartley found winning way again as the entertained Beckenham at Culvey Close. Invited to bat on Will MacVicar 58 and David Draper mad scores of over 30 as Beckenham struggled for runs as with Dan Redwood taking 3-39 and Jack Laraman 3-58 Beckenham were bowled out for 188 in the 48th over.
A breezy 74 from James Hockley and 48 by Dan Stickles who began with an opening partnership of 127 enabling Hartley to the cruise to a seven wicket victory in just 32.5 overs.
Liam Evans took 5-30 as Sandwich made light work of defeating Bickley Park by nine wickets after their journey from the coast. Only Dan Magin with 40 made a significant contribution the poor Bickley total of 140. An unbeaten 61 by Marnus Labuschange, 37 by Ryan Davies and an unbeaten 36 by Robert Goatham saw Sandwich canter to victory.
An unbeaten 84 by Richard Selvey-Clinton aided by 41 from Nick Blueet helped Bromley to a half way total of 227 for five. Bexley were soon in trouble at 52 for six and with Nathan Hill clearing out the lower order ending with 5-60 the Bexley innings ended on 141 providing an 86 run victory from Bromley.