Kent braced for final round suspense

Bromley will lock horns with Hartley at Plaistow Lane for a mouth-watering title decider though St Lawrence could still cause a last minute upset in the Kent Premier League by beating Beckenham.

Hartley begin their final game with a slender three point advantage and both they and their opponents will be aware that a low scoring draw may allow St Lawrence to steal the title if they manage a batting first win which makes this final round a fitting finale to a closely fought season.

Hartley remain on top despite a defeat to Blackheath who have now beaten both title contenders on consecutive weekends. Invited to bat by their visitors, Hartley reached just 204 thanks largely to a knock of 91 by Matt Stiller with Warren Lee returning figures of 4-58.

Hartley made Blackheath fight hard all the way and despite another four wicket haul for Andy Tutt and three for Min Patel, Blackheath got home with four overs remaining but just two wickets in hand.

Bromley ensured the title was not decided till their clash with Hartley next week by thumping Gore Court by 123 runs. Bromley amassed 289-8 in 50 overs when they declared their innings. Gore Court ended on 166.

St Lawrence kept their title hopes alive with a comprehensive twenty point win over Sandwich. Ciaran Morgan was the mainstay of the St Lawrence total of 254 for eight and three wickets apiece for Charlie Hemphrey and Ben Trott saw Sandwich, who offered a strong challenge, slide to a 70 run defeat.

It was not a good day at the office for Sevenoaks Vine who were totally outplayed by Lordswood. Matt Isles ripped through the heart of the Vine batting taking 5-35 as they collapsed to a modest 144 all out. In reply Chris Thompson blasted an unbeaten 96 to see Lordswood home by 10 wickets in 33.1 overs. With the result at Beckenham, this was a much needed win for Lordswood and also puts some pressure back on the Vine next week.

Tunbridge Wells also improved their chances of survival in the Premier Division with a comprehensive win over title challengers Beckenham.

Electing to bat, Tunbridge Wells began their innings cautiously, but anchored by a well crafted century by Mark Alexander, who was finally dismissed for 102, Tunbridge Wells closed on a reasonable total of 212 for eight.

With the exception of James Evans who made 90, the Beckenham batting was disappointing against a steady Wells attack and they were bowled out for 164 which earned them just six points and ended their title hopes.

Sandwich remain bottom on 131 points with Tunbridge Wells and Lordswood now locked together on 144 points and Sevenoaks Vine on 158.

The Vine can ill afford another zero point result on the final weekend. Tunbridge Wells play Gore Court on Saturday while Lordswood travel to Blackheath and the Vine entertain Sandwich.

If both Tunbridge Wells and Lordswood slip up, a win for Sandwich (131 points) could still save them from relegation. Wins for both Lordswood and Tunbridge Wells and a loss for the Vine could still see the Sevenoaks side go down which all makes for an enthralling final Saturday.