The record books will state that Tunbridge Wells Royals beat Sevenoaks Vine Jazzers by five wickets in The Smash Cup competition Quarter Final, played last Thursday evening, but the reality is they did so with the very last ball of the game!
Bradley Hope (51*) and Henry Procter (47) got off to a fine start with the bat to help the Jazzers record 178/5 over their 100 balls, whilst Zach Webb and Joe McCaffrey did their best with the ball, both getting two wickets a piece.
The Jazzers started their bowling brightly and at one stage the Royals were just 31/3, however a massive stand by Alexander Williams (54*) and Sahil Shah (45*) encouraged them on to the 100th ball.
Needing just three runs off the final over, it looks like the Jazzers had it all tied up as Chris Vernon celebrated Freddie Freeman’s dismissal for 33 runs. This was followed by a dot ball, then one run, then another dot ball, before Vernon rocked up one final time to face Shah who slapped the ball away for two runs and the match, finishing on 179/5.
A great game of cricket played in the spirit of the game, well done to both sides but ultimately to Tunbridge Wells, who now progress to the Cup Semi-Finals.
Cup Quarter Final result: Sevenoaks Vine Jazzers (178/5) lost to Tunbridge Wells Royals (179/5).
Wednesday 3rd July
Cup Quarter Finals fixtures: Bromley Bears v Holmesdale Stallions; Leeds & Castled v Hesketh Heat (both 17:45).
