Grandad Kevin comes of age for Lordswood

Lordswood's are on the march towards The Oval in club cricket's premier knockout tournament, with a fast bowling grandfather leading from the front.

The rank outsiders from north Kent have reached the semi-finals of the £12,000 Evening Standard Challenge Trophy by overcoming former champions Finchley by 68 runs.

The destroyer-in-chief was former Kent professional Kevin Masters, who made light of his 42 years with figures of four for 18 from 8.2 overs of accurate, aggressive seam bowling.

Tony Odle took the first three wickets as Finchley slipped to 20 for six in reply to Lordswood's 230 for seven. They eventually limped to 162 all out.

Lordswood, who had already beaten 2001 champions Wanstead, are now just one match away from the final at The Oval on 14 September.

To get there they must travel to another Middlesex League side, Enfield, on Sunday 17 August.

Yesterday's semi-final draw also paired Radlett with Bexley, opening-up the possibility of the first all-Kent final in the 11-year history of this 50-over event.

"Now that really would be something," said grandad Masters. "We're only a little club and I think Finchley took us a bit too lightly, just like some of the other teams we've played."

Enfield beat Middlesex rivals Hampstead by six wickets to reach the last four. Their captain Antony Higgs, 25, said today: "We are thrilled with this draw. Lordswood are much like ourselves - one of the underdogs."