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Club pays tribute to ‘a natural cricketer’


TESTON Cricket Club has said goodbye to one of its all-time greats, who died recently. Steve Coley broke all the batting and bowling records during his 33 years with the Barham Court side. It was shortly after leaving the pitch, having complained of indi- gestion, that Coley collapsed and died at his home in Wateringbury. As a 19-year-old, Coley was


quick to make an impact on the club. He was soon picking up awards and over the next 30 years he topped the averages with both bat and ball, on a regular basis. He was one of the key bowlers when Teston gained three promo- tions in four seasons, culminating with the club celebrating its 1995 centenary in division one of the Kent Village Cricket League. Club chairman Peter Erlam said: “His straight drive was a joy to be- hold. Many an opposition bowler has paid the price of slightly over- pitching the ball, only to watch as


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Steve, on the front foot in a flash, slapped it back over his head for four or six runs. He made it look so easy, almost effortless, languid.” Coley's bowling was medium


fast, compact and tight. He hated giving runs away. He loved taking wickets, usually a couple of dozen per season.


Mr Erlam added: “Steve never boasted about his exploits. He never saw the need to make a big deal of his career record. The stats spoke for themselves.” Coley was a natural cricketer. Returning this summer after a few seasons away from the game, his trademark bowling proved as dev- astating as ever. At Ightham last month, a week after his 50th birth- day, he took three wickets in as many overs, destroying the oppo- sition’s middle order and effec- tively winning the game. As one Teston CC stalwart said


after learning of his death: “Steve was the best of us.”


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News Hedge alight


FIREFIGHTERS attended a hedge fire in Maidstone. One fire engine was sent to


Loose Road at about 11am on Sat- urday,


September 12. Crews


found a hedge and a small amount of undergrowth alight. Firefighters used a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire. No casualties were reported, and the fire is believed to have spread from a nearby bonfire.


Sexual health UNDER-25s are being asked by


Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells hospital trust to complete a sur- vey to shape the way sexual health services are delivered. The trust says: “We are still able to offer advice through face-to- face appointments, telephone chats and virtual appointments.


Village dream BEARSTED has been listed in the


top 10 rural areas in England most popular for house sales. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is changing public attitudes to- wards moving to the countryside, according to Rightmove.


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