Kentish Express Ashford & District
Winning sequence ended
Tenterden
Tenterden’s five-match winning run came to a disappointing end with a 131-run home defeat against Shepherd Neame Kent League Division 1 champions Tunbridge Wells on Saturday.
Skipper Andrew Crawford admitted the result brought his team quickly down to earth, having turned their season around in the past month, climbing to fifth place.
Crawford said: “It has been all about ensuring survival from our point of view and a good effort, establishing ourselves as a Division 1 club.
“We are safe now – with one match left, at runners-up Folkestone on Saturday.
He added: “Wells are a good side and were a lot better than us. It was disappointing and a bit of a come down.”
Tenterden’s catching let the visitors off the hook and Crawford added: “Two or three were tough chances. We were a bit off the pace in the field which is frustrating.”
Wells boast probably the strongest batting line-up in the division, with the top-three all playing second team cricket for Kent this season.
Australian Nick Selman hit 99 off 89 balls, including eight fours and five sixes. Kent Academy graduate Michael Waller scored 57, with 47 coming from Chris Williams and 46 from skipper Alex Williams, as Wells reached 300-6.
Tenterden, needing a good start, were hit by the quick loss of opener Ben Price and Crawford with only 14 on the board.
Chris Walsh made 31 and Hayden Walsh batted well again, staying 85 balls for his 51.
Wickets fell regularly after that. Tyler Griffin made 28 but Tenterden lost with 14 overs left.
Tenterden
2nds,
already
resigned to relegation, lost by 97 runs in the corresponding fixture against Wells 2nds at The Nevill.
Meanwhile, club stalwart Michael Upton has been rewarded for his long service to grass roots cricket by winning one of Kent County Cricket Club’s annual Alan Albury awards.
A Tenterden member since 1981, he served on the committee from 1993 to 2008 and skippered the side between 1991 and 1994.
He has been responsible for the formation of Tenterden’s fund-rasing 100 club which became the 200 club, as well as organising club dinners and presentation evenings.
Crawford said: “Michael is a great guy, a big part of the fabric of the club and is Tenterden through and through.”
Mr Upton received his award from former Kent and England cricketer Derek Underwood at Canterbury on Monday.