THE Shepherd Neame Kent Cricket League is heading into July with just one point separating first and second place.

Gore Court, based in Sittingbourne, lead the way from Bromley after both sides triumphed batting second last weekend.

Bromley cruised to an eight wicket victory over Beckenham with Robert Ferley and Daniel Christian both hitting half-centuries.

The pair were also deadly with the ball as Christian took 2-16 and Ferley contributed 3-57.

Beckenham had won the toss and elected to bat but the Bromley bowlers dismissed them for 137 off 49.4 overs.

In reply, Bromley reached the target suffering just the loss of Leo Taylor for two and Christian for 67.

Beckenham's defeat left the door open for Canterbury-based St Lawrence to leapfrog them and climb to third after a 20-run win over Tunbridge Wells.

Gore Court's three-wicket win over Bickley was memorable for a 95 by Gore's Kevin Jones and half centuries for Bickley's Chris Coulson (63) and Andrew Clarke (62).

Elsewhere, Blackheath's poor season continued with a 12-run defeat to Folkestone.

Having dismissed the hosts for 117, with James Hands (4-28) and Richard Woods (4-29) leading the attack, Blackheath could sense a victory.

However, it seemed the early dismissals of Richard Rawlings for three and Reimell Ragnauth for five would set the tone for the reply.

But Andy Edwards (14) and Paul Firth (14) ably supported Ben Hammond as he hit a half-century before being bowled by Charlie Hemphrey for 50.

Blackheath's last five wickets fell with only 12 runs added to the score leaving the visitors all out for 105 and going home with nothing.

Bexley went down to Sevenoaks by 26 runs after failing to reach the 252 target set by the hosts off 55 overs.

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Bromley continue their defence of the Evening Standard Challenge Trophy on Sunday with the visit of Esher to Plaistow Lane.

They won the coveted title last year beating Ealing at The Oval in September.