EYNSFORD’S bid to become the best village cricket team in England ended in heartbreak at Lord’s.

Having made it through to the final of the npower Village Cup – a competition contested by 496 teams – Eynsford lost to Yorkshire side Sheriff Hutton Bridge by four wickets with eight balls left.

There was little to choose between the teams during an entertaining final played in glorious sunshine and the only difference ended up being an unbeaten knock of 76 by Bridge’s middle order batsman Steve Crowder.

Eynsford won the toss and decided to bat, but they got off to a poor start by losing openers Gary Atkins and prolific run-maker James Ashdown in the first four overs.

But Jamie Wise and Paul Geear gave the innings some solidity and took the run-rate up to five an over.

When Wise was eventually caught for 59, Eynsford had progressed to 124-4.

Geear's solid 47 and a cameo innings of 16 from Dom Syres helped Eynsford to reach 201 before they were all out in the 39th over.

Bridge held the upper hand after an opening half-century stand in nine overs and Crowder marshalled the innings to see his side to victory.

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