CANTERBURY Cricket Club's bid to reach the ECB national six-a-side finals for a third successive year ended with a three-wicket defeat against Worcester Park from Surrey in the last eight on Sunday.

The county champions had looked impressive in despatching Braintree in their opening game at the Kent Cricket Academy, but they failed to reproduce the same form against Worcester Park.

Their last four wickets went down in the space of just five deliveries, leaving them 76 all out with Ben Cooper and Ryan Minter joint top-scoring on 18. To add to Canterbury’s woes Cooper sustained a groin injury while batting and was only able to bowl one over when Worcester Park replied.

A blistering start, which produced 43 runs from the opening three overs, put the Surrey side in the driving seat, and they reached their target in the 10th over.

Canterbury had totalled 114 for two agianst Braintree with Neil Bristow (26) and Ryan Minter (25) both finishing unbeaten. Cooper added 23 and there were also 24 wides.

Braintree were dismissed for 55 in reply, Damian Minter taking two for 31 and Rob Marsh two for 12, aided by two return catches, one of which was a smart one-handed effort.

Canterbury skipper Simon Smith admitted he was disappointed not to reach Lord’s but added that he was prouod of the club’s achievement in making the last eight.

Smith said: "The performance against Braintree was near perfect, but we were disappointed with the match against Worcester Park because we knew we were capable of playimng much better."