Valiant run chase falls just short

HOSTS LOSE BY SIX RUNS DESPITE DREWE HITTING 28 OFF 15 BALLS IN BID FOR VICTORY Tenterden

Tenterden fell just short in another exciting finish to lose by six runs against Bexley in the Premier Division at Morghew Park on Saturday.

Having chased down 246 to defeat Beckenham earlier this month, they found themselves in a similar position again, needing 23 off the last two overs.

Youngster Jamie Drewe kept them in contention with 28 off 15 balls, 24 of them in boundaries, including successive sixes.

The target was reduced to 11 off the last four balls but Drewe was bowled and the home side – needing 220 to win – finished on 213-8 from their 50 overs.

They recovered well from 40-3, following the loss of Andrew Crawford, Bharat Popli and captain Ben Price.

Chris Vernon (64) and Tyler Griffin (52) added 105 for the fourth wicket before both went in the space of seven runs but Sutton Valence schoolboy Drewe led the tail well in what proved a vain bid for victory.

Bexley won the toss and batted, Sam Weller and Tom Richards sending back both openers, before the visitors survived a big shout for a catch behind.

Another Sutton Valence pupil, slow left-armer Will Edwards, was introduced and bowled well, before Vernon struck, having Adam Riley caught by his county team-mate Weller for 15.

Tim Curteis then removed Aryan Jain for 92 and Louie Terry (2), before Weller – the Premier Division’s leading wicket-taker – grabbed two more to finish with 3-53 and take his tally for the season to 35.

Bexley’s Angus Dalgleish then hit the second last ball of the innings for six as the visitors reached 219-8 which proved just enough.

Tenterden 2nds will return to Premier Division cricket next season, claiming another 16-point haul with a six-wicket win at Bickley Park. Reuben Collingwood and Ryan Knight claimed three wickets each, sending down 14 maidens and conceding only 30 off their 23 overs. Jay Parker finished with 3-20 as Park were all out for 89. Skipper Tim Russell (44 not out and Felix Drewe (27 not out) helped Tenterden to 95-4. Tenterden’s Tom Richards (centre) celebrates the wicket of Bexley’s Jason Benn, caught by keeper Ben Price (right) for 17 David Gray was Boughton & Eastwell’s match-winner for the second successive weekend as his team claimed another 20-point maximum in Division 1A East with a five-wicket victory over Canterbury 3rds at Polo Farm. Gray hit 77 in B&E’s 130-5, after the home side had been dismissed for 129. Simon Aylott took 3-6 in 17 balls as the Canterbury’s innings folded quickly – they lost their last six wickets for only five runs. Boughton & Eastwell are 10 points behind leaders Littlebourne, who claimed full points after opponents Saltwood conceded. Wye also had a free day as hosts Kennington cried off. Clifford Ball (39 not out) and John Meadows (37) helped Stowting recover from 95-7 to

Picture: Martin Apps FM4472627 Tenterden’s Tim Curteis – took 2-40 against Bexley

Simon Aylott took 3-6 for Boughton & Eastwell