There was more drama at the top of the Kent League Premier Division when the top two teams were both beaten.

Fourth placed Tunbridge Wells hosted leaders St Lawrence & Highfield Court who won the toss and asked the hosts to bat first. Alex Williams scored 56 in a second wicket partnership of 89 with opener Viraj Bhatia who scored 48. Michael Waller scored 32 on their way to 220 for 9. The wickets were shared with four bowlers taking two apiece.

Wickets fell regularly in the Shrimpers response with John Grewar’s 36 being the highest contribution in their total of 162. Matthew Luksich took 4 for 28 from his ten overs and Matthew Barker returned 3 for 18 

Having started the day just four points behind the leaders, Hayes would have felt confident when hosting out of form Bexley. The home team chose to bat first and an opening partnership of 116 ended when Finnan Bryan was dismissed for 59. Alex Blake then struck a quick fire 65 in a stand of 119 before Will Harby completed his century, eventually falling for 107 in a total of 277 for 4.

Aiden Griggs scored 30 at greater than a run a ball while Calum Basey anchored the innings with 116. Leo Selvey-Clinton joined him and their partnership was worth 105 before the opener departed. The young Kent all rounder eventually fell for 64 to Alfie Peck who took 4 for 56. but Bexley claimed the win by four wickets with five balls remaining. Both of the top two earned six bonus points so the difference between them remains the same.

Third placed Blackheath took advantage with a victory at home to fifth placed Bromley after winning the toss and batting. Matthew Golding top scored with 77 not out, Charlie-Sid Speller scored 39, and George Wells 30 as they finished on 234 for 8. Marcus Lilley claimed 3 for 47.

Although Ryan Cartwright scored 52, he struggled to find support and the visitors were bowled out for 145. Tejpal Birdi returned the best figures with 3 for 40.

While the top two teams were both losing, the bottom two both won. Starting the day in penultimate place, Sevenoaks Vine thrashed Whitstable to climb two places up the table. They won the toss and elected to bat and after Ewart Bekker (43) and Ben Compton (34) had put on 75 for the first wicket, Brad Hope struck 104 not out off 78 balls supported by 63 from Harry Bevan-Thomas. They finished on 291 for 7 despite Scott Dale’s 4 for 63 and Justin MacVicar taking 3 for 50.

Other than 44 from Stuart Drakeley, nobody came to terms with the accurate Vine bowling and the hosts were dismissed for 140. Tom Richards was the pick of the bowling with 3 for 18.

Finally, bottom team Lordswood recorded their second win in a row when hosting Minster despite losing the toss and being asked to field first. Usman Ghani smashed 62 after Shahbaz Azizullah had scored 41, Kai Appleby then hit 52 before the visitors were dismissed for 232 with six overs unused. Ant Quinn took 4 for 52 and Freddy Sykes 3 for 41.

Linden Lockhart struck 75 at greater than a run a ball and captain Calum MacLeod saw his team home with an unbeaten 63 for a five wicket win with thirteen balls to spare. The Lords remain thirty points adrift of safety but they are showing that they won’t go down without a fight.

Pictures supplied by Keith Gillard.