Luke Schlemmer’s fourth century in four games was instrumental in the change at the top of the Kent League Premier Division with four weeks remaining.

At the start of the day, Minster were league leaders and they won the toss and elected to bat when visiting Sevenoaks Vine. They racked up an imposing 313 for 6 in their fifty overs with James Thompson scoring 134 after Edward Moore was out for 74 in an opening stand of 156. Chris Piesley also weighed in with 46 while James Logan returned figures of 3 for 51.

Although a seemingly daunting target, Schlemmer came in at the fall of the first wickets, Chris Vernon for 30, and enjoyed another fantastic afternoon.

He finished on 144 not out, Evert Bekker scored 77, and Harry Houillon 46 not out as the hosts cruised home by eight wickets with just under three overs to spare.

That defeat gave Hayes the opportunity to reclaim top spot if they could defeat Lordswood, or at least exceed Minster’s four bonus points. They chose to field first and the visitors scored a competitive 269 for 6. Scotland’s Calum Macleod top scored with 87, Joe Gordon followed up on his two consecutive centuries with 66, Jack Laraman was undefeated on 44, and Edward Taylor scored 43.

A run a ball 127 not out from Will MacVicar, assisted by 44 by Kent’s Alex Blake, guided the hosts to a comfortable six wicket victory with three overs to spare to send them back to the summit of the table.

Blackheath returned to winning ways to maintain their third place position with a home victory over Tunbridge Wells. They won the toss and batted first and put on 175 for the first wicket before losing Dipayan for 70. George Wells went on to complete his century and a quick-fire 38 from Brandon Louw saw their innings close on 265 for 6.

Chris Williams scored 50, and both Alex Williams and Michael Waller scored 41, but none went on to score the big score required and the visitors were bowled out for 216. Paul followed up on his batting exploits with 4 for 52 and Arafat Bhuiyan claimed 3 for 29.

Victory at bottom club Beckenham enabled in-form Bexley to move up to fourth place. They won the toss and batted first. Aiden Griggs was first out for 67 in an opening stand of 114, and Shaun Evans scored 56. David Moody (4 for 46) and Rob Clements (3 for 35) checked Bexley’s progress and they finished on 235 for 8.

Although opener Junaid Nadir scored 48, in their reply, no other Beckenham player made it to twenty as they were bowled out for 146. Anish Patel claimed his best figures of the season with 4 for 32.

Bickley Park now find themselves in the bottom two following defeat at Sandwich Town. Electing to bat first they were bowled out for a disappointing 167 with David Grant taking 4 for 19. Only wicketkeeper Safwaan Imitiaz, with 44, offered much resistance.

Alex Smith (44 not out), Rory Smith (43) and Tom Burnap (32) were all in the runs as Sandwich cantered home by six wickets to ease them out of the relegation places.

Pictures supplied by Keith Gillard.