Kent Cricket League Premier Division Bexley edge past Nantwich at Lord's to win ECB National Club Championship final

There was double success for Kent’s cricketers over the weekend as Bexley were crowned ECB National Club Championship winners at Lord’s.

While Kent were beating Lancashire to be crowned Royal London One-Day Cup champions on Saturday, Kent League Premier Division Bexley earned a final-ball final victory over Cheshire County League outfit Nantwich by just a single run.

Half-centuries from wicketkeeper Ben Aldred (68) and opener Shaun Evans (56) helped them post 241-8 from their 40 overs.

There was also a late cameo from captain Adam Riley, the former Kent spinner, who chipped in at the end with a 13-ball 18 not out.

In Nantwich’s response, opening bowler Adam Ball (3-37) - another former Kent player - removed captain Raymond Doyle, caught behind by Aldred, for a golden duck before Marcus Stables joined Chis Simpson and they put on 56 together, as they enjoyed the short boundary on one side.

But Riley (1-45) then made the breakthrough in the 14th over, trapping Simpson for 12.

Stables went on to make 51 before being run-out when Luke Robinson drove straight back at Riley, and he deflected the ball onto the stumps. Jake Pearson didn’t hang around for long before being bowled by Freddie Foster (1-61) but at the halfway stage at 95-4 and with Robinson going well, Nantwich’s target was still very reachable.

Robinson looked to have everything under control until Riley brought Ball back. He fancied the short boundary but could only hoist it straight into the air for Anish Patel to hold his nerve to take an excellent catch and Robinson was out for 75.

It was then up to Spencer Byatt to hold the innings together while wickets fell at the other end.

Philip Stockton went for a run that was never there and was sent back but could not