Saturday saw the 1st XI host Premier League ever presents, Sevenoaks Vine, in our home opener.
The Kent League split into 2 in 1996 and The Vine have never been out of the top league and this out 1st XI’s had not met in League action since then.
In what was sure to be another tough test – aren’t they all at this level – a beautiful sun-drenched day welcomed the visitors to Hayes.
With last weeks hero, Will MacVicar unavailable, skipper Beau was dealt another blow when The Vine won the toss and opted to bat.
Stuart Eddciott and Connor Byrne opened the bowling.
Both bowled tidily and with the score on 28 Connor snaffled the first wicket – to be immediately followed by a 2nd – both expertly caught by Scott Gallagher in the slips.
Our overseas, Gareth Severin, – primarily a bat and wicketkeeper, has proved adapt with his bowling too and he was soon amongst the wickets as The Vine slumped to 54-3.
Andrew Eddicott entered the fray and produced a masterclass of tight left arm bowling – bowling straight through he was unlucky not to take wicket, but his miserly 10 overs only went for 27 as the batsmen started to dominate.
Visiting skipper Luke Schlemmer showed his class in scoring a classy century and was kept company by the son of the late Graham Cowdrey, Michael (22) and Kent bowler James Logan (52*).
Wickets were hard to come-by as The Vine posted a formidable 233-5 in the allotted 50 overs.
Looking to make a fast start into the total, Hayes were pegged back as Gareth Severin was snaffled tickling one down the legside and young Finlay Baker was run-out with the score on 26-2.
Miguel Barbosa (26) guided the score to 53 before he was dismissed and with Rory Low following soon after, the challenge of Premiership cricket looked daunting.
With in-form Alex Blake at the wicket, all was not lost, but could anyone stay with him?
Skipper Beau Couldrey fell for 5 but returning keeper, Liam Buttery, provided the innings with much needed impetus as he hit a quick-fire 28 in a 61 run partnership.
His dismissal was quickly followed by Scott Gallagher and Connor Byrne – Connor hitting a fine 6 before being yorked by some excellent Vine bowling.
With the score on 192-8 and the run-rate a punishing 7 an over, it looked a question of how many bonus points Hayes could score as Stuart Eddicott joined Alex.
Stuart has a capability to “go large” on occasions but he played a patient foil to Alex and as Alex set about the attack in fine style.
The last over started with Hayes needing 10 for an unlikely win. Alex took 2 off the first ball from fellow Kent bowler Logan, but then holed out for 112. A brilliant innings with only 2 fours but with 6 sixes had Hayes on the cusp but could they do it?
Andrew Eddicott – by his own admission an excellent and well deserved No 11 – strolled out but with Stuart having been canny enough to cross with Alex, it was Stuart to face.
The tension was evident as a hush descended over the ground and then it became 4 needed with 2 to go – could Stuart provide the fireworks!?
The next ball was despatched to long-off – would it clear the fielder – YES IT WOULD – and a brilliant 6 saw Hayes home to a superb win!
The celebrations were wild as the crowd and colleagues engulfed Stuart!
Credit to The Vine as despite the closeness of the result and a few tight decisions that didn’t go there way, they stayed behind and shared a beer with the team – a rare sight in recent years.
2 from 2 and we now lead the League, if only on alphabetical order.
Highlights of the game available on YouTube!
The 2’s visited The Vine and skipper Sam Davis won the toss and elected to bat – with 42 scored off the first 6 overs it looked the right choice.
However, Sam fell for 9 as the bowlers recovered – Liam Vallois (29) and Alfie Peck (23) kept the score going but with there dismissals, it was only James Bamber with a patient 36 keeping the scoreboard moving as Hayes started to lose wickets at a regular rate.
James was last man out as Hayes slumped to 159 all out.
Needing to take early wickets, Hayes rotated the bowling but The Vines veteran batsman, John Bowden, with an unbeaten century ensured victory would be straight forward and despite 2 wickets for Joel Couldrey, The Vine knocked off the runs in 27 overs.
A tough result following on from last weeks close defeat to Bexley and Sam and his boys will be looking to bounce back next week.
The 3’s travelled to Old Wilsonians for the Hayes derby.
Invited to bat first, Hayes lost a few early wickets but with everyone chipping the scoreboard ticked over.
Mark Trevatt (56) and Olly Patterson (58) provided middle-order runs and with Russel Frampton (16) and Graeme Morrison (13) also into double figures, the Hayes score closed on 193 all out in the final over of their innings.
A good total from 40 overs and after tea, Hayes watched the Old Wils openers put on a 50 partnership.
Kevin Coates entered the fray and soon broke the partnership before Johnny White came on to rip apart the OW’s batting. Johnny finishing with 4-15 in his 9 overs.
Graeme Morrison with 2-8 and Mark Trevatt, 3-16, ensured no fightback from the opposition as they were skittled for 86 and 2 wins from 2 for the 3’s.
The 4’s debuted Joe Kallas as skipper as they had a much-changed side from the previous week as they entertained the same Orpington side they defeated in a close game last week.
Orpington lost the toss and were invited to bat first by Joe.
Oliver Molsher soon removed one of the openers – a fine game for Oliver as he took a couple of wickets in his second spell to finish with 3-19.
Sam Carter proved to be the star turn with the ball as he took 4-22 in his 9 overs.
Joe rotated his bowlers well as the opposition finished on 146-8 in their 40 overs.
The 2 Browne’s, Dad Jeremy and son Marcus, opened the batting and put on a splendid display putting on a 80 partnership before Marcus fell for 34.
Jeremy – showing signs of exhaustion from his bowling and batting – soldiered on for 53 before being 3rd out at 120.
Game over? Not a bit of it as the skipper soon found out what a tough game cricket is – wickets tumbled (including his won) but through the carnage Rob Taylor stood firm and patient 14 saw Hayes over the line, with Dan Cudmore also offering support.
2 wins form the first 2 games and with the West Wickham football season now over, Ollie Clarke will be back to lead the side.
Sunday saw the rain return to wash-out all the games.
A brilliant Saturday for Hayes – the 1’s have taken the Premier League in its stride and win against The Vine will be long remembered.
