Tense three way title race in Kent

Three teams, three points, three games. The Shepherd Neame Kent Premier League is charging towards one of its most exciting finales ever with Hartley, Bromley and Beckenham separated by just three points.

Each is casting an eager eye over opportunities to clinch the 2008 title before the Premier League season comes to an end on 6 September.

Hartley (178 points) made light work of Gore Court last weekend.

A tight bowling performance by Hartley including a useful spell of 4-52 by Andy Tutt left Gore Court in disarray with no means of recovery and they were dismissed for a modest 117 in 37.2 overs. James Hockley (58 not out) and David Thompson (52 not out) ensured the leaders a comfortable 10 wicket win.

James Hockley

Bromley meanwhile picked up a valuable twenty points to move into second place, just one point behind Hartley, after wrapping up a comprehensive win over Sandwich by 141 runs.

Runs for James Butterfill (87), Nadeem Shahid (60) and Matt Dennington (52) formed the backbone of the Bromley innings of 250 for five and Sandwich had no answer to Grant Sheen who took 5-21 as Sandwiched tumbled to 109 all out.

Beckenham (175 points) stay well in contention though were deprived of the 20 point win that would have taken them to the top by the Blackheath final pair.

A superb 115 by Alex Blake well supported by Leigh Walker (92), allowed Beckenham to close on a useful 295 for six. Despite 5-42 from Richard Bedbrook, Blackheath clung on ending on 170 for nine.

A high scoring affair at Highland Court saw St Lawrence emerge victors against a battling Lordswood side. Set 254 to chase, St Lawrence dug deep and reached their target for the loss of just four wickets.

This moves St Lawrence into fourth place and the valuable five points earned by Lordswood lifts them just out of the relegation zone at the expense of Tunbridge Wells who gained just three points against Sevenoaks Vine.

Centuries from Will House (120) and John Bowden (104) allowed the Vine to dominate proceedings at the Nevill.

The Sevenoaks side amassed 326 for six from their 55 overs which proved far too many for Tunbridge Wells to chase but they ground out a draw ending on 174 for nine.

Bickley Park and Bexley ensured promotion back to the Premier League in 2009 with famous wins but may have to wait until the final hour of the current season to find out who they will be replacing.