Betteshanger missed out on a place in the South East regional indoor six-a-side finals after Sunday’s 26-run defeat to Canterbury in the Kent County finals.

After a win over Holmesdale in the quarter-finals and the closest of victories against Broadstairs in the last four – the teams were level but Bettes went through by virtue of losing fewer wickets – Betteshanger were in confident mood as they attempted to stop Canterbury retaining the trophy they won last year.

Put into bat, Canterbury’s Paul Steer and Ryan Minter started steadily and reached 32 by the fifth over.

But Steer (17) ran himself out and three balls later, Minter was neatly caught behind off Mike McNicholas (1-13).

Things got better for Bettes when Simon Smith was run out and although Ben Cooper consolidated and saw the score to 56, Jamie Towe (2-9) bowled him for 17 and then trapped Rob Marsh leg before, giving him a double wicket maiden.

Only seven runs were scored off the final four overs, with last man Damian Minter run out from the last ball of the innings as Bettes were set just 64 to win.

Bettes’ reply stalled when they lost Martin Cheeseman in the third over and Ryan Minter bowled Jamie Towe in the fourth with the score on 15.

Jofie Towe (12) was run out in the fifth over and with Bettes on just 20, the game was edging Canterbury’s way.

Andy McNicholas started the fightback but runs were not easily scored against tight bowling. When the score reached 37, McNicholas (17) was superbly run out.

Marsh’s final over – the ninth of the innings – saw Steve McNicholas bowled first ball and Mike McNicholas run out the next to see a jubilant Canterbury through to the South East finals on February 22.