THE MOTE maintained their promotion push with an impressive seven-wicket victory over Canterbury on Saturday. It was their fourth win in five games - the other being tied.

Architect of the victory was opener Steve Fuggle, who hit a fluent 113 off 132 balls with 12 fours. it was only the second century by a Mote player in Division One this season.

Fuggle shared in an opening stand of 109 with James Barr (53 off 78 balls) and 107 for the third wicket with South African overseas player Stephan Grobler (51 from 57 balls).

“It was a well-paced and disciplined run chase,” said captain Laurence Waters, who put Canterbury in after winning the toss.

Canterbury reached 228 for six, which on the fast outfield was not a mammoth total. Glen Aukett claimed two for 52 in 15 overs, while Chris Back came on to take two wickets for 15 at the end of the innings.

The Mote, bidding for a quick return to the Premier Division, are fourth in Division One - 22 points behind Sandwich, who they entertain this Saturday.

They have two games remaining after that - at home to struggling Holmesdale and away to leaders Blackheath.

Young Freddie Chillcott salvaged some honour for Tunbridge Wells in the two-wicket defeat against Sandwich in Division One. Chillcott rallied the later order with an attacking 65, including seven fours, after Wells had made a poor start.

Wells won the toss and batted, only to lose two quick wickets while 19 runs were made. Rebuilding was started by Gareth Williams (31) and Scott Allen (36), who took the score into the 70s, when the home attack struck back with three quick wickets to reduce Wells to 82 for five.

Chillcott’s contribution enabled Wells to post three batting points as the overs ran out. Nick Chambers assisted Chillcott in adding 45 for the seventh wicket, but Sandwich snapped up three more wickets, including that of Chillcott, and the innings ended on 176 for eight from the allocated overs.

The reply featured some determined bowling from Chris Lawrence (two for 31) and a superb spell from skipper Grant Stephens (three for 26 from 15), backed by Mark Smith and Gareth Williams, with the consequence that the home innings was tottering at 95 for six.

Stuart Smith (38) top-scored for Sandwich, but no-one else was able to withstand the visitors' attack until the late order began to turn things round. Gradually, the batsmen regained the initiative, inching their way towards the target total.

Despite constant pressure from the Wells' bowling, Sandwich achieved a narrow victory with just two wickets in hand.

Meanwhile, newly-promoted Gore Court are still teetering on the verge of the Premier Division relegation zone after they were hammered by Bexley.

Bexley won the toss and batted and made 231 for five from their 55 overs.

Kent bowler Alamgir Sheriyar made 69 for Court but that was the only highlight as they were skittled out for 159.

Court, third from bottom in the table, are at home to fellow relegation contenders Broadstairs on Saturday.