By Charles Randall

19 August 2014

Bromley pipped last year's runners-up Blackheath by one run to reach the final of The Conference Cup, a competition sponsored by the Barbados Tourist Authority & Smile Group Travel. They were due to meet Reigate Priory at Ealing CC on Bank Holiday Monday, 25 August, but rain prevented any play, and the final will now take place on Sunday 7 September.

Reigate sealed the Surrey Championship title the previous day as runaway winners, though they were given a stern test in the Oxfordshire countryside by Aston Rowant before squeezing home by six runs. The final promises to be an excellent contest.

Bromley had Dominic Reed to thank for reaching 197-7 in their rain-reduced 37 overs after a faltering start at 11-3. Two wickets from the former Kent all-rounder Warren Lee did the damage, on top of his hat-trick against them in the Kent League the previous month. But Reed, a former Cardiff University all-rounder, batted fluently for 90 off 85 balls and changed the picture completely with support from Richard Clinton's 44.

Blackheath made a reasonable start in reply before the score slipped to 130-7. Lee, prominent again, led a revival with 51 off 43 balls, and James Hands blasted 26 off 17 balls, but leg-spinner Nathan Hill took crucial wickets, including Lee, ninth out on 189. Lee was caught on the long-on boundary in the penultimate over,  agonisingly close to the six that would probably have led to victory. Nine runs were needed off the last over from Clinton and two off the last ball, but tail-ender Ivan Thomas's swipe for glory ended in wicketkeeper Calum Basey's gloves.

Reigate were expected to win at Kingston Blount against Aston Rowant, from the Home Counties League, but they found batting hard work in a 45-over total of 167. Despite Will Irving's 53 they slipped to 116-7 and needed a rescue knock by Richard Stevens of 30 off 28 balls. Syed Tahir Kazmi and Adam Muttitt (both CCC tourists to Jersey last year), took three wickets each.

Aston Rowant in turn collapsed to 110-7, left-armer Luke Beaven returning match-winning figures of 9-6-9-4. After the ninth wicket fell at 133, Wes Morrick and last man Kazmi made a brave attempt to salvage the game.

Results and scorecards from the semi finals, & all other Rounds, here on our website.