In searing heat, all five matches were won by the team batting first with league leaders Hayes being the only club to win on the road.

They visited Bickley Park and maintained their place at the summit with a 63 run victory. Kent RLODC vice-captain Alex Blake led the way with 132 not out off 102 balls including six maximums and eleven fours. He was supported by Will MacVicar (46) and Rory Low (42) after Gareth Severin scored 37 at the top of the innings which finished at 277 for 4.

Blake wasn’t finished there as he took 3 for 31 from his ten overs, including Safwaan Imitiaz who scored 89. Although Jotty Singh (37 not out) and Michael Ridley (35 not out) put on an unbeaten 64 for the eighth wicket, they were so far behind when they joined at the crease, that the target was well beyond them.

Second placed Minster kept the pressure on by scoring a colossal 356 for 8 having been asked to bat first by third placed Blackheath. Joseph Parry showed why he has been playing for Kent second eleven when he top scored with 73. Chris Paisley slammed 71, Ed Moore scored 64 and Greg Lamb 58.

Although George Wells scored 61 at the start of Blackheath’s innings, wickets fell at the other end.

Charlie-Sid Speller’s 51 not out, Ross Richardson, 44, and Brendon Louw, 31, put up some resistance but the asking rate was always too great and they finished on 255 for 9. Parry followed up his batting exploits by taking 3 for 45 in his first season playing for the Isle of Sheppey club.

In form reigning champions Bexley took advantage of Blackheath’s loss by defeating Sevenoaks Vine to move into third place. Aiden Griggs continued his consistent season with 58 and he was backed up by George Hayley with 39, and Matthew Stiddard with 31. Kent bowler James Logan kept them in check, to an extent, taking 3 for 45, but they still finished on 218 for 6.

Bexley’s big challenge was how to deal with Luke Schlemmer following four consecutive centuries, and they were delighted when Stiddard ran him out for just a single. Although Sevenoaks scored 58 for the first wicket, Evert Bekker top scoring with 30, they crumbled to 114 all out. Freddie Foster was the most successful bowler, taking 3 for 13 from six overs.

It was a day to remember for Tunbridge Wells youngster Ben Dawkins. Having recorded a duck in his only other first XI appearance, he scored his first ever century at any level for the club. His 118 was supported by Sam Smith’s 47 and Alex Williams’ score of 38. David Grant claimed 3 for 38.

Chasing 255 to win, nobody made it to 30 for visitors Sandwich Town, who had chosen to field first. Joe McCaffrey claimed the league’s best bowling figures of the day with 4 for 21 and Michael Waller took 3 for 37 as Sandwich were bowled out for 125.

Lordswood entertained bottom club Beckenham in the final match and sent them a step closer to relegation. They finished on 254 for 8. Linden Lockhart top scored with 70, Bradley Goldsack scored 38, and Jack Laraman added 31. Ishan Sabharwal was the most successful bowler with 4 for 53.

Alexander Senn scored 49, and Ross Piller added 34, but the target was beyond the visitors, and they were bowled out for 167. Touseeq Shah claimed 4 for 27, and Lockhart 3 for 13.

Three weeks remain as the season builds up to an exciting finale.

Picture supplied by Keith Gillard.