Hartley take 2008 crown in Kent

Hartley were crowned champions of Shepherd Neame Kent Premier League 2008 after another complete wash out which saw all five games scrapped without a ball being bowled.

A gathering crowd at Plaistow Lane in Bromley were denied the opportunity to watch the top two sides, Hartley and Bromley lock horns as heavy rain swept in just as the covers were coming off for the start.

This would have been a great battle with both Matthew Walker (Bromley) and Martin Saggers (Hartley) available from the County staff, to add to a heavyweight list of ex-County and aspiring County players including Min Patel, James Hockley, Nadeem Shahid and Matt Dennington plus promising young Kent keeper Sam Billings in the Hartley line up.

Hartley thus take the crown by three points after a close contest right to the wire. Bromley were worthy runners-up with St Lawrence in third and Beckenham in fourth.

Sadly the weather did not permit the sides at the bottom from gaining any points on their rivals, thus leaving Sandwich and Lordswood in the bottom two and a season in Division 1 next year.

Division 1 champions Bickley Park and runners up Bexley will take their place in the Premier Division in 2009.