On Saturday, Bexley cricket club will play Nantwich in the National Club Championship final at Lord’s.

Although they were unable to retain their 2021 Kent Premier League title, finishing behind champions Hayes and Runners Up Minster, they had a very strong second half of the season.

In the National Club Championship, they defeated Ashtead, Esher, and East Grinstead in the group stages before visiting Brentwood in the last sixteen.

Captain Adam Riley led from front, claiming 5 for 30 as the hosts were dismissed for 180. Ben Aldred scored a quick 39, but it took an unbeaten sixth wicket partnership of 77 between Calum Basey (37 not out) and Riley (35 not out) to see Bexley home with eleven balls to spare.

Their quarter final at home to Wanstead and Snaresbrook, and that game was a real thriller. The visitors batted first and amassed an imposing 252 for 7 in their forty overs.

Aiden Griggs (80) and George Haley (66) added 122 for the second wicket in the response, but they needed a rapid 39 from Basey and a composed 35 not out from Adam Ball to keep them in the hunt.

They still required 16 off the last two overs but scored 10 off the penultimate over leaving Ed Nuttall to finish the job with two balls to spare.

In the semi-final, Bexley hosted Wiltshire based Potterne. They batted first and Ollie Robinson crashed 54 from 42 balls in an opening stand of 88 with Shaun Evans (42). Matthew Stiddard added 68 as Bexley finished on 242 for 8.

That proved to be more than enough as Evans enjoyed a fine all-round performance by claiming 4 for 21. Ball and Foster took two wickets apiece as Potterne were bowled out for 177.

Opponents Nantwich, from Cheshire, have experienced the showpiece final before having been beaten by Norfolk club Swardeston in 2019. Liam Livingstone, who is now Lancashire captain, spent three seasons at the club and once scored 350 not out off 138 deliveries for them in a cup game.