Lordswood played host to the 1st XI as our 2nd XI hosted Lordswood – a hark back to the days when we regularly played home & away against the same opponents.
University Leaver Balls and Holidays played havoc with selection this weekend and with 5 of last weeks 1st XI missing, it was with hope rather than expectation that the journey to Chatham was made.
Stand-in skipper Will MacVicar lost the toss, and we were invited to bat.
The weather – damp and overcast – favoured the bowling and the Lordswood overseas was soon amongst the wickets. Bowling fast and with a little movement, openers James Bamber & Liam Vallois were quick victims and although Will managed to get to 21, he also fell – in between Gareth Severin was picked up by the other opener.
Tomas Gallagher fell with the score on 57-5 and a low score beckoned – however Joel Couldrey (15) partnered Finn Baker – Finn having scored 40 in a pre-season friendly on this ground – set about repairing the damage.
However, with the back-to-back dismissal of Joel and Connor Byrne, Hayes were on 88-7.
The explosive Stuart Eddicott reigned in his natural instincts and kept Finn company as they proceeded to take the score to 126-8 with Stuart making a fine 23.
Finn took his score to 32 before being run-out trying to farm the strike and with Ashley Quayle then dismissed too, the Hayes innings came to a close at 141.
Some solid batting from Finn and the lower order and the bowlers had something to bowl at.
Will MacVicar and Stuart Eddicott continued their fine opening partnership, and it didn’t take long for Stuart to take the first wicket – and only another 3 balls to take his 2nd.
The home side were 4-2 and in trouble – the skipper then took the 3rd wicket, and it was 16-3.
Andrew Eddicott then entered the fray – his left arm having been devastating so far this season – and he was soon amongst the wickets! The Beast took 3-26 in his 10 over spell and the home side were reeling at 65-6.
The dangerman, Jack Laraman, was still at the crease however he was no match for our Kiwi – a revelation as a bowler – and with his dismissal, Lordswood were tottering on the brink at 79-7.
A Will MacVicar run-out followed by Connor Byrne taking a wicket and another for Gareth ensured Hayes go to a magnificent 5 from 5.
The Premier League Table has Hayes flying high – the only side unbeaten in the League and leading by 26 points – there’s a long season ahead but a magnificent start by the team.
Bickley Park visit on Saturday – come along and see if we can make it 6!
The 2’s batted first at Hayes but got off to the worst possible start as skipper Sam Davis and No 3 Martin Pratt fell victim to the finger of the Umpire – 4 out of the first 5 bats falling the same way – Connor Daniels scoring a fine 24 before hitting one into his pads and becoming the 4th LBW.
Alfie Peck (25), David Cross (17), Lucca Baker (13) and Iain Gauld (12*) being the only other bats to get into double figures as Hayes slumped to 130 all out.
The bowlers threatened to get an unlikely win as Alfie Peck followed up his batting with 3-38 – Tom Davis and Johnny White with 2 a piece had Lordswood struggling but a fine undefeated half century from one of their bats got them home.
A slow start from the 2’s but as they proved last season, they have plenty of talent and once they start firing, they will get the elusive wins!
The 3’s hosted Ex Blues on The Meadow and with the opposition losing the toss, elected to bat first.
Marc Wheatley’s boys were keen to make amends for last week’s defeat at London Knights.
The bowling got off to a fast start as the returning MD Belal and Jayson Thompson both took wickets in their opening overs – welcome back!
However, with only a small total to defend, the opposition started to nudge close to the target – Mark Trevatt with a couple of wickets put a brake on the run chase and Kevin Coates also chipping in with a brace tried their best but sadly the game had been lost with the batting and so back-to-back losses for the 3’s.
The 4’s travelled to Sidcup and with all the selection woes of the higher sides, they did well to field XI.
The Father & Son Browne opening partnership started well but with both Marcus & Jeremy in double figures they were dismissed – Jeremy shouldering arms for the first time in his (long) career as the ball careered into his stumps!
Simon Flinn with 31 was the top scorer but sadly there was no-one to keep him company as wickets tumbled steadily and the innings came to a crashing close at 89.
Skipper Oli Clarke opened the bowling with Jesse Rowson and with each of them taking an early wicket, an unlikely fight-back looked possible – however the Sidcup bats then knuckled down and coasted home for the loss of one other wicket.
A first defeat for the 4’s this season but a creditable performance with all the selection woes in the higher sides.
Despite the feared weather, the Sunday sides both played.
The women’s Development side made the journey to the oldest ground in Kent at Town Malling and batting first conjured up 166-7 in their allotted 25 overs.
Shania Abrishami (37) and Zeena Bilal (43) top[ scoring.
A total that proved defendable as the Town Malling side fell 9 runs short and a good win for the women.
Town Malling lost 4 wickets in the run chase – 3 run-outs and a wicket for Aanya Rastogi.
The Development side now top their league after 4 games.
A special thanks to Zoe Hainsworth who stepped in at the last minute to help the 4th XI on Saturday and then managed the Women’s Development side on Sunday.
The Sunday Legends made the journey to the side formerly known as HSBC but now New Beckenham.
New Beckenham opted to bat as Hayes lost the toss and were soon into the runs in a 35 over game.
Oliver Molsher, Prinshul Jain and Johnny White taking the only wickets – Steve losher with a run-out – as New Beckenham finished on 216-4.
The Hayes batting was soon under pressure with none of the top 6 getting into double figures.
Ronnie Buddin (31), Oliver Lolsher (21) and Prinshul Jain (25) put some respectability on the score card as Hayes were all-out for 135.
The Jubilee Weekend saw plenty of action and another great win for the 1st XI as they set the early season pace at the top of the Premier League.
