According to Charles Kightly from English Heritage, the rivalry between teams representing Kent and Essex began in a gruesome manner in 1776. “Two teams from Kent and Essex agreed to play a ‘great match at cricket’ at Tilbury Fort, Essex.
“But when the Kentish team turned out to include a man ‘who should not have been there’ – perhaps a ‘professional’ – the Essex men refused to play, ‘on which a very bloody battle ensued’. Facing an obligation to forfeit, one of the Kentish team ran into the guard house, seized a gun, and shot dead an Essex man.
“Everybody now rushed to grab guns, easily overpowering the four soldiers on duty, and ‘fell to it, doing a great deal of mischief’. This included running someone through with a bayonet, and killing a guard as he attempted to restore order.
“Eventually the Essex men fled over the drawbridge, while the Kentish team ‘made off in their boats, but search is making after them’.”
Whilst, of course, more recent clashes with Essex have been thankfully nowhere near as violent, intense rivalry has endured between these noisy neighbours.
Since the inception of T20 cricket in 2003, the Spitfires and Eagles have faced each other 34 times, with Kent winning 18 and Essex 15.
The Spitfires’ highest T20 total against Essex cameatChelmsford,whenJoeDenlyand Daniel Bell-Drummond set a new Club record partnership for any wicket in T20 competition - putting on 207 runs together, Denly scoring a century and Bell-Drummond 80*, with Kent making 221/2 in 20 overs.
Kent’s most decisive victory by runs in T20 cricket came against the Eagles at Beckenham in 2008 - 91 from Joe Denly helped the Spitfires post 204/5, before dismissing Essex for 123 - a win by 81 runs. James Tredwell took 3-17, and current Kent bowling coach Simon Cook 3-21.
Essex’s 99 all-out in 2007 is the fifth-lowest total by any side facing the Spitfires in the format, Darren Stevens taking his current T20-best figures of 4-14 in a 42-run victory at Chelmsford.
‘The Battle of the Bridge’ also forms part of the annual contest of the Mike Denness Shield between the two counties, named after the former England cricketing legend that has played for both sides. The Men’s First XI with most aggregate victories across all formats wins the Shield.
Kent are the current holders of the Mike Denness Shield, having won two of three matches against Essex in 2020.
Great privilege to be at Canterbury this afternoon. Great display all round but Crawley and DBD effectively won us the game with a great partnership in far from ideal batting conditions: poor light, damp, overcast and slow outfield!
One thing that did surprise me, but pleasantly was that they played a full game of 20 overs despite starting an hour late. Unless I am mistaken they wouldn't have done this had it been a 7pm start. Out of interest anyone know the rule about this?
Great privilege to be at Canterbury this afternoon. Great display all round but Crawley and DBD effectively won us the game with a great partnership in far from ideal batting conditions: poor light, damp, overcast and slow outfield!
It was a great privilege wasn't it. Think you are right about DBD and Crawley. although Jack's 42 and 3 wickets was a bit special. Its a long time since I enjoyed an afternoon of live sport that much. When Essex started to hit so many boundaries in the first few overs I did start to wonder..
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come on Kent.
Great to see Deebs make some decent runs & Jack Leaming is different gravy !
Well done to those stalwarts that put their faith in the weather & saw a very impressive victory.
Westwards to Bristol for Tuesday evening's match which we'll watch on the stream with the England game on the laptop.
Then " Can we play you every week ? " Essex again at Chelmsford followed by our 2nd visit to Canterbury for revenge against Somerset on the 28th.
Great stuff !
I'm fearing a bloodbath at The Oval tomorrow when Essex visit ....
It was a great privilege wasn't it. Think you are right about DBD and Crawley. although Jack's 42 and 3 wickets was a bit special. Its a long time since I enjoyed an afternoon of live sport that much. When Essex started to hit so many boundaries in the first few overs I did start to wonder..
We would have hammered em I tell thee