KENT COUNTY VILLAGE LEAGUE:

Linton Park and Bearsted are coming into form at the right time.

Park moved 15 points clear of trouble in Division 1 after beating Horsmonden by 23 runs.

And Bearsted are only three points adrift of safety following a 47-run success against Penshurst Place.

Dan Thirkell made 68 from 99 balls and Craig Sands 54 off 50 as Linton closed on 201- 8 from 40 overs.

Early wickets by Thirkell (2- 40) and Josh Knowler (2-26) put Horsmonden on the back foot and they were all out for 178.

Bearsted’s innings against Penshurst Park was dominated by 86 not out from Abbi Poddar, the knock coming off 88 balls and including six fours and five sixes.

Captain Mark Sandhu (48) also batted well as Bears closed on 211- 8.

Andy Dampier (4-36) and Sid Prajapat (3-39) had too much for the visitors’ batsmen as Park slipped to 164 all out.

Marden are 20 points adrift in Division 2 after losing to Ightham.

An Ollie Payne-Cook knock of 22 was as good as it got as Marden were bowled out for 72.

Ben Tragett struck early but Ightham won by nine wickets.

Ian Prideaux bowled Division 6 promotion hopefuls West Farleigh to victory in a low-scoring game against Outwood.

Farleigh had work to do after being dismissed for 129.

But with Prideaux taking 4-9 and Paul Baines 3-20, Outwood were all out for 108, Farleigh winners by 21 runs.

Hollingbourne clinched Division 7 promotion with a six-wicket success against Bidborough.

The title will surely follow for a Bourne side who bowled out Boro for 90 thanks to Joe Deveson (4-3) and Adam Doggett (3-24).

Miles Henslow made 29 as Hollingbourne knocked off the runs in 16 overs.

Bearsted 2nds beat Otford 2nds without losing a wicket.

John Haggart (85 not out) and captain Tim Lush (39 not out) were the unbeaten batsmen as the visitors met a target off 133 in the 19th over.

Earlier, David Vant took 3-18 and Steve Horrocks 3-28, with Otford closing on 132-9.