COWDREY lost by just one run at Bexleyheath after a nail-biter on an underprepared pitch – despite a heroic effort from their former captain Anthony Mills.
His replacement as the Tonbridge skipper, Ryan Addison, won the toss and inserted the hosts, who lead Kent League Division Three.
Harry Johnson hit Mohammad Jamil on the helmet with the first ball, which flew off a length. But Cowdrey could not take advantage of conditions as Bexleyheath reached 72 for 1.
Addison turned the tide, removing the top order with a hostile spell of seam bowling to finish with 4 for 22.
And Minhaj Jalill captured the key wicket of Pakistan first-class player Faisal Naved for 35 during a miserly spell of 2 for 15 off 10 overs.
Nick Farr (3 for 27) returned to clean up the tail and Bexleyheath were all out for 127 with 10 overs unused.
Cowdrey’s reply started well and reached 54 for 1 but Naved’s spell of 5 for 13 then demolished the top order.
At 77 for 8 the game seemed to be up but Mills had produced a superb, gritty rearguard action, adding 41 runs with Farr.
But Cowdrey’s hearts were broken as a fine slip catch saw Bexleyheath win by one run, with Mills left devastated and undefeated on 36.
Cowdrey play Leeds & Broomfield at Swanmead on Saturday (June 1).
