Hartley Country Club opened up a commanding 36-point lead at the top of the Shepherd Neame Kent League, Premier Division reached its halfway stage on Saturday.

Playing at bottom-of-the-table Whitstable, Hartley cruised to a seven-wicket victory with James Hockley again playing a prominent role but this time with the ball rather than the bat.

Hockley claimed 4-46 and James Thompson took 3-36 as Whitstable were bowled out for 157. Thompson then top scored with an unbeaten 53 to lead Hartley past their target inside 24 overs.

Lordswood are now in second place after sweeping Sevenoaks Vine aside by eight wickets at Martin Grove.

Only opener Oliver Durrell made any sort of score in the Vine’s total of 195-9, with Dan Masters taking 5-55 and Matt Greenwood 3-43. Lordswood romped home thanks to Chris Piesley (71), Lyndon Lockhart (65 not out) and Zac Elkin (51 not out).

Beckenham lifted themselves out of the bottom two after an exciting 12-run win over Blackheath at Foxgrove.

After electing to bat, Beckenham were only able to set a modest target of 214-5 thanks mainly to skipper Chris Isles (52) and John Malcolm (48).

But it proved enough as Blackheath slipped to 88-5 in reply and although Joe Kerridge (48 not out) led a late-order recovery, the visitors were dismissed for 202.

Third-placed Bexley took maximum points at Sibton Park. Batting first, skipper George Wells top scoring with 80 not out in their total of 219 all out.

Steve Rowe claimed 5-61 for the Lyminge side, who then found Aiden Griggs (4-32) and Min Patel (3-54) too much as they were bowled out for 166.

For the second week in a row Nick Bluett and Miguel Barbosa came to Bromley’s rescue, this time against local rivals Bickley Park. They were struggling on 83-5 when Bluett (63) joined Barbosa (64) and the pair put on a 121-run stand to enable Bromley to recover to 224-9.

The Bickley batsman found it hard going, in reply but they managed to escape with a draw on 150-9. Wayne Morgan took 5-26.