Leaders Town tighten grip

Division 5

Bromley Town tightened their grip on top spot with victory over Hartley Country Club.

Their lead is 20 points with five games remaining after Adam Dicker’s halfcentury made the difference at Hayes Lane.

Dicker led the way with 54 for the home side and Michael Robertson added an unbeaten 39 as Bromley closed their 50 overs on 193-8.

Ryan Carter (3-39) led a disciplined Hartley attack and Sam Weller picked up 2-35 before captain Richard Nicol batted well for his 47 in the runchase.

But only Ben Chapelhow (40) offered him any real support and Hartley were all out for 153 in the 45th over, leaving themselves with a cushion of just 14 points above the relegation zone.

Henry Winchester claimed 4-21 and Bhushan Khandve took 3-27 to keep Bromley Town’s push for promotion on track.

Their closest challengers, Littlebourne, stayed in touch with a four-wicket victory over Faversham.

They bowled the visitors out for just 119 and then knocked off the runs inside 20 overs.

The Roebucks, in third, dismissed Betteshanger Colliery Welfare for 117 and went on to win by seven wickets. Fourth-placed Rodmersham proved too strong for Offham at the OCG.

Lee Rigden’s score of 50 was the highlight as Rodmersham scored 217 all out, with Ben Gittings (4-31) leading the Offham attack.

Gittings then hit eight fours and a six on his way to 60 but his efforts proved in vain as Offham collapsed to 141 all out. Taranjit Singh Saini (3-23) and Darren Nokes (2-21) both had success with the ball for Rodmersham, who will feel that with the win they are still in the promotion shake-up.

Chislehurst & West Kent boosted their survival hopes with a three-wicket win over Bexley 3rds.

They bowled the visitors out for 171 and reached their target with more than eight overs to spare.