What happened on the weekend of 1st and 2nd September must be recorded as one of the greatest achievements in the very long and distinguished history of Bearsted CC.

- David Patton, Hon. Chairman

The final weekend of the season saw the 1st XI, 2nd XI and Sunday side all needing to win to each gain promotion from their respective divisions.

On Saturday, 1st September, the 1st XI travelled to Ightham. Thanks to 52 from Andy Griffiths, they finished with 153 runs. Then four wickets each from Steve Benjamin and Alex Lush saw Ightham all out for 47. The 106 run win saw them gain promotion back to the Kent County Village League Division 1.

On the same day, the 2nd XI entertained West Farleigh on Bearsted Green. Three wickets each for veterans Chris Filmer and Ian Gutteridge helped dismiss West Farleigh for 99 – a total that Bearsted passed for the loss of only 2 wickets which meant that they were also promoted, this time to the Kent County Village League division 6.

Not to the outdone, the following day saw the Sunday League XI playing Great Chart also on Bearsted Green. Great Chart batted first and amassed, what was on recent evidence, a large total of 202 for 4. In reply all hope seemed lost of a third promotion for the club when Bearsted lost 8 wickets for only 100 runs. But a club record 9th wicket partnership of 102 between Miles Henslow (50 not out) and Steve Benjamin (44 not out) saw them home, and confirmed promotion to division 2 of the Kent Village League for the first time.

David Patton, Hon. Chairman, Bearsted CC commented:

“What happened on the weekend of 1st and 2nd September, supported by much hard work by many during the entire league season, must be recorded as one of the greatest achievements in the very long and distinguished history of Bearsted CC. I doubt it has happened many times, if ever before, where all of our senior village league sides completed victories in final day matches to each confirm promotion from their respective divisions.

If we add to this our U16s winning the Weald of Kent plate final, much success for our newly formed U11 development squad, including coming second in their league, and our U9s reaching the Kent Mini Super 8s finals day at Beckenham, it just shows that all the hard work that is put in throughout the year by everyone associated with the club, both on and off the field, can and does get its just rewards.

It’s also important that we recognise the key contributions that our new playing members, who joined us during the season, have made to the club on and off the field in 2018. Many of these guys, who’s 2018 season started with the folding of a club close to their hearts, had big hands in the success of this season and we very much hope they have found a new, friendly and successful home to continue their cricketing careers well into the future.

Our club has seen many changes of recent times, and has also had to deal with its fair share of struggles, as have many local village cricket clubs, but this season confirms that hopefully we are on the up again.

However, in cricketing parlance there is no opportunity to rest on one’s bat at the non-strikers end and take a breather! We now look forward and must use this as a catalyst to more success in the coming years; we look forward to developing our club and facilities on and off the field for the benefit of members and the community and to welcoming the new players to the club, that hopefully this success brings - both junior and senior - as all teams look to challenge themselves in higher divisions in 2019!”

In the photos above, the victorious 1st XI are all stylishly wearing hats with a very serious message to support a great cause. #MakeRunsMaxi is a mental health charity who do amazing work & are in the hearts of Bearsted CC. Check out their website makerunsmaxi.com.au & support by getting some merchandise! Also, apologies to Tim Croom and the successful 2nd XI, there was no photo available of the promotion winning team...