Routh holds off Hartley

Wicketkeeper Simon Routh emerged as the hero of the hour for Tunbridge Wells when he gloved a catch to prevent title contenders Hartley Country Club from scoring the one run they needed for victory in a spell binding clash in the Shepherd Neame Kent Cricket League.

Tunbridge Wells won the toss and batted first but found runs hard to come by against some tight Hartley bowling led again by Kent seamer Martin Saggers who took 3-48. Mark Smith (45) was their top-scorer with every batsman who faced more than five deliveries reaching double figures to post a total of 209 for eight.

On an easy-paced Hartley pitch, David Thompson struck 11 fours for 56 and looked set to steer his side home before he was caught off Oliver Priestman with the score 97 for three. His departure triggered a collapse and Mark Smith and Quintin Ferreira took three wickets apiece as Hartley slumped to 170 for nine.

Matt Coles and Darrell Carter battled hard to reduce the deficit to just one run when Chris Fenwick induced a nick from Coles to Routh, which to the delight of his team and the travelling supporters, he held to earn Tunbridge Wells 20 points and third position in the table, trailing their opponents by six points.

Gore Court extended their lead at the top to six points with a draw against St Lawrence. Neil Dexter, who is on loan from Kent to Essex, returned for the day and peppered the advertising boards with 13 cleanly-cut boundaries for 85.

Neil Dexter hit 13 boundaries in his knock of 85 for Gore Court

Former Kent wicketkeeper Steve Marsh (69) was also in the groove and the pair built a steady platform for Nevill Talbot to blast 76 including six enormous sixes, to take Gore Court to a formidable total of 313 for eight.

Murray Creed set about the chase with a fine 93, well supported by David Smith with 51 but with the departure of Creed the task proved just too much for St Lawrence who ended on 275 for six to and find themselves at the bottom of the table.

Half-centuries from Luke Blackaby and Shami Iqbal helped Sevenoaks Vine recover from 50 for three, but their lower order failed to capitalise leaving Beckenham and Sydenham a modest total of 202 to chase.

James Evans reached a well-earned century off the final ball of the match as Beckenham raced to victory with eight wickets in hand.

Blackheath could only muster 150 for nine against a tight Bromley bowling attack that included Ruel Braithwaite, who has played a number of second XI games for Surrey and represented West Indies against England Lions last year taking 3-39 and Michael Bluett (3-22).

Although Bromley lost six wickets in the chase, they crossed the line with more than nine overs to spare with Matt Walker making 49.

Lordswood's batting failed to ignite against a steady Sandwich attack and Sandwich sailed past their total of 133 with six wickets in hand.

The latest round of results brings the top five clubs in the league ever closer with just 19 points separating them and everything to play for.