Betteshanger Colliery Welfare CC missed out on the chance of a national title after an agonising last-gasp defeat in the National Indoor Six-a-side competition at Lord’s on Sunday.

Bettes were representing the Kent Cricket Board but lost in the final over of the semi-final to Cambridgeshire side Godmanchester Town.

Godmanchester batted first in the spacious Lord’s arena and the runs flowed, with the Cambridgeshire side on 94-1 from seven overs before two wickets apiece for Derek Towe (2-34) and Liam Collins (2-40) took the score to 108-5 before a late flourish took Godmanchester to 139. Andy McNicholas took 1-25.

Bettes needed 12 an over and Cheeseman and Collins got them off to a fine start, retiring on 25 and 26 respectively as they reached 67 inside five overs.

The first wicket fell when McNicholas (11) was caught with the score on 88 from eight overs.

Jamie and Derek Towe (pictured) kept the score ticking over and after 10 overs their side were sitting pretty on 127-1. However Martin McNicholas departed without scoring, Cheeseman was trapped lbw without adding to his score upon his return and Collins then went for 27 to leave the score at 137-4 with one over remaining.

Derek Towe (18) was run-out trying to make his ground while another calling error led to Jamie Towe being run-out for 25 to see Godmanchester home by two runs.