HARBLEDOWN GRAB THE CHANCE TO RETURN TO TOP OF THE TREE

229-8 with 4.2 overs to spare.

Paul Betts finished 89 not out from 81 balls, while skipper Sacha Azizi’s undefeated 78 came from 62 deliveries with nine fours and two sixes.

Betts (3-26 in six overs) and Daniel Dolman (3-43 in nine) had earlier done most to keep Woodchurch in check.

Brandon Tanton’s 61 was the batting highlight for Wingham 2nds as they lost by 102 runs to Mersham 2nds in Division 4.

Ben Clipstone added 31 in a score of 194-7 which was in reply to Mersham’s 296-6.

Norton went down by six wickets to Town Malling after being restricted to 168-9.

Sam Arnold took 3-26 from nine overs but Malling reached their target in 37.1 overs.

Exiles-at-stelling Minnis kept the promotion race alive in Division 5 by beating leaders Chestfield by six runs. Donald Carter (42), Richard Collins (32) and Alan Carter with 23 not out, helped steer Exiles to 155 all out (Rishi Milward-bose 2-22 in six) and in reply, Chestfield were all out for 149. Joseph Mitchell hit 40 and Arron Bennett 32.

Bowling honours went to Kevin Farmer (3-28), Collins (3-37) and Miles Clayton (3-39).

Chestfield remain top but their lead over Harbledown 2nds is down to two points after the Canterbury side passed the Hythe Green total of 152-6 (Neil Harrison 3-22) for the loss of just one wicket.

Henry Roberts led the way hitting 15 fours in his unbeaten 82 while opener Harrison was 43 not out as they triumphed inside 30 overs.

Hythe Green and Exiles share third spot on 46 points one behind Harbledown.

Bought on- und e r - Bl e a n received a walkover against Stockbury.