Mersham Sports are now Ashford’s number one club after winning Kent League promotion on a dramatic final day of the season.

Mers needed to beat Nonington 2nds to guarantee the runners-up spot in Division 6 Hurricane but suffered a late-order collapse in pursuit of 151.

With just seven required, the villagers lost two wickets in two balls before ice-cool Dan Coulson (14 not out) and captain Jack Wilson (3 not out) took them home to a one-wicket win.

It’s Mersham’s second promotion in three years and it means they are now the town’s highest club in the Kent League following Ashford Town’s relegation.

“We were already playing at the highest level in our history and to go up again is an incredible achievement,” Wilson said.

“But it’s nothing less than we deserve because the club is flying.

“We have junior teams full of outstanding youngsters, many of who are being recognised with Kent selection.

“Our seconds got promoted, we’ve managed to start a third team at the club, and now we’ve a firsts promotion to top it off.

“The club’s goal is to attract and produce the best players in the local area.

“Ensuring we have a first team playing at the highest possible level is crucial to that so we’re just delighted to get the job done.”

Much of Mersham’s success in 2024 was down to their proficiency with the ball.

Indian all-rounder Chetan Kurandale was the division’s leading wicket taker with 34 while opening bowler James Rand took 25, the highest of any non-overseas player in the league.

“It’s the first time we’ve gone down the route of getting an overseas player in and Chetan has been superb to have around the club,” Wilson said.

“He’s ripped apart middle orders this season but that’s only been possible following the work of Rando, who has once again been unplayable with the new ball.”

Attentions now turn to planning for 2025 where Mersham will look to continue the momentum they have worked hard to build up.

“The goal is to keep striving for promotions and seeing where we end up,” Wilson added.

“Ambitious players around the area will see we’re a club on the up, who give players chances to go out and win games for us.

“We’d love for a few new arrivals to increase our strength in depth and those, coupled with some of the quality we’ve already got in the squad, will mean we can give Division 5 a right go.”