Match Report
A Team
A result was needed for the A team following their previous loss against Surrey to keep nationals qualification alive. A strong start from Pat, Bass, and Paul Williams sent the team into a 3:0 lead, but several uncharacteristic mistakes led to a 7:4 deficit after the first set.
The following two sets also proved difficult, which saw us trail 20:13 going into the last 11 frames. From 22:15 down, some hope was still alive, winning the next six frames to make it 22:21 and take it to a final-frame decider for the draw. Jake took an excellent finish out, but a miraculous bounce-out on his last ball left Sussex with a few roll-ins for the win — a horrible end to a long match.
Still, there were some positives to take, with an excellent performance from Indian international Aaron Bhat in his first game back in the A team this season. There were also solid performances from O’Donnell and Bassoo, both winning 3/4.
There is still hope going into the last match at home to Hampshire to finish in the top two for a spot at nationals.
B Team
The B team needed to win this match to take top spot and started brightly, taking a 2:0 lead. However, seven frames in a row from Sussex meant Kent were 7:2 down on their way to a 7:4 first-set loss. The Sussex team won the next set 6:5 to extend their lead. The third set went a similar way, so moving into the final set Kent were 19:14 down. A good run of frames dragged us back to 22:21, but a final-frame loss meant that Sussex won the league, with Kent finishing second.
Mitchell Standen was player of the day with 4/4.
C Team
An unusual match culminated in a 23:21 win — the strange part being Sussex winning 3:1 in sets, but a great set three, with Kent winning it 9:2, made all the difference.
A lot of missed chances for Kent and the bad run that goes alongside that made the match a close affair. The win, combined with Berkshire surprisingly losing, means the Kent Cs claim their fifth league title in a row — congratulations to the team.
Notable performances on the day came from Bill Rase and Barry Johnson (4/4). A good day too for captain Paul Cox, with 3/4, plus winning the frame that clinched the win on the day.
Although we can all agree it has not been the best season for the Cs, with a lot of player shuffling throughout, the team has ultimately delivered what it set out to do — Regional Champions 2025.
Ladies
The ladies team needed to win this match to maintain second place and secure a place at the nationals — and they delivered that with a comprehensive victory. They took the first set 7:4 and extended that to 16:6 with a terrific second set. Another 8:3 third-set victory took the score to 24:9 going into the final set. A fourth-set win of 7:4 completed their victory, and Jools can now start planning their assault on the nationals once again.
Amy Cook joined Barbara Taylor on 4/4, with Jan Spinner, Julie Fane, Erin Gannon, Jo Miles, Jo Herrington, and Mel Clements all ably supporting with 3/4.
Over 50s
The Over 50s travelled to Sussex knowing a win would keep them at the top of the table and take them to nationals. The first two sets were shared, reaching the halfway point at 11:11. The third set saw some uncharacteristic errors from the team and was lost 8:3.
This left the team with an uphill struggle, and unfortunately, they went on to lose the match 25:19, meaning Kent drop to third. Results now need to go in Kent’s favour to qualify, plus they have to win their last game v Hampshire.
No full houses, but Gary Kingsnorth, Barbara Taylor, and Martin Prime competed well, each winning 3/4.
Juniors
No such problems for our junior team — they had won all five games previously and made it 6/6 with a 25:11 win to deliver the regional title again.
The team were dominant in the first set with an 8:1 win, followed by a 6:3 victory to take a halfway lead of 14:4. Another 6:3 set took it to 20:7, with Olly Mitchell and Michael Cairns claiming 4/4, and Lucas Keepin, Finley O’Shaughnessy, Mason Cole, and Jack Harding all delivering 3/4.
Well done team — get ready for the nationals!
Under 23s
Our Under 23s, led by Jake Lloyd, have now claimed the regional title following their national win last year. They didn’t start off the best, going 3:2 down, before winning all five frames in the second set to take a 7:3 lead. They won the third set 3:2 before another 5:0 set in the last to take the match 15:5.
James Goldsmith went 4/4, with Callum Britt, Jake Lloyd, and Finley O’Shaughnessy each winning 3/4.
Over 60s
Finally, the first Over 60s season has delivered a national qualification for Kent in its first year, with Andy Gee leading the individual regional stats — also with a game to go.
The team went 2:1 up before Sussex pulled back to 3:3. The third set saw all three frames go to Kent for a 6:3 lead before closing in on an 8:4 victory.
Summary
It ended up a disappointing Sunday for Kent as a whole, as we won five matches but lost three crucial games for titles and national qualification. I guess this shows the standards we have for this county.
Next month rounds off the 2025 season, and there are still possibilities of further national qualification, though Kent now have to rely on results from other matches as it’s out of our hands.
A full report of the season will be delivered following next month’s matches. See you all on November 9th for our final match at home v Hampshire.
Best wishes,
Wilbo
Final Scores
| u23s | 5:15 WIN |
| Over 50s | 25:19 LOSS |
| Juniors | 11:25 WIN |
| Ladies | 13:31 WIN |
| A | 23:21 LOSS |
| B | 23:21 LOSS |
| C | 21:23 WIN |
| Over 60s | 8:4 WIN |