Local rivals Bickley Park
were the visitors to Hayes on Saturday – Bickley having won 3 out of their first 5 fixtures and Hayes still unbeaten.
On a balmy afternoon Bickley called wrong and were invited to bat first, Hayes clearly favour chasing!
Will MacVicar and Stuart Eddicott have formed a lethal opening partnership and Saturday was no different – Will was on fire and dismissed both openers with just 3 on the board.
This soon became 10-3 with the stumps dislodged yet again by Will as Bickley adopted a shot-a-ball strategy.
Next in was their skipper and amazingly he was run-out first ball – 10-4.
Stuart was obviously keen to get in the act – and he did, clean bowling Bickley’s No 4 to make it 10-5.
Bickley had bought a good few spectators and their glumness contrasted sharply with the smile on the home support.
A partnership developed, taking the score onto 19, before Stuart again dislodged the stumps.
Will soon made it 24-7 as Hayes didn’t let-up.
Connor Byrne replaced Stuart, and this was no respite for the visitors as he took a wicket in his first over – 32-8.
The tail then wagged slightly as Bickley took the score to over 50 before Will decided to bring the innings to a close – taking the final 2 wickets to see the visitors shell shocked innings come to an end at 60.
Will bowling the best spell of his Kent League career as he finished with 6 wickets for 31 in 8.5 overs.
With tea deferred until after the match, the Hayes reply got off to a fast start as Liam Vallois and Finlay Baker started strongly – Finn crashing 2 boundaries before missing a straight one and Liam with 18 before being caught.
Will tried to finish the match quickly but sadly holed out and it was left to Alex Blake (16*) and Gareth Severin (8*) to finish the game off in the 12th over!
A devastating performance from the 1st XI who have made an incredible start to the Premiership campaign.
The 2’s made the short hop to Bromley Cricket Club, looking to kick-start their season but buoyed on by reports of a great batting strip prepared by Hayes Legend, Trevor Phillips!
Trevor couldn’t help with the toss though and Bromley decided to have a bat as Sam Davis called wrong.
Bromley made a solid start, reaching 39-1. Alfie Peck taking the only wicket, before Ashley Quayle and Joel Couldrey turned the tables. Ashley took 2 wickets in a miserly spell of 2-25 in 10 overs and Joel doing what Joel does best – 2 great run-outs!
84-5 and Bromley were in trouble – however a century from a middle order bat put a halt to the Hayes attack – Colin Couldrey with 2 wickets helped to ensure the Bromley innings was held back – the innings finally coming to an end at 226 with Alfie securing a 3rd run-out.
A tough total to chase but with news filtering through of the magnificent win by the 1st XI the team were in good spirits – the site of the 1st XI turning up dressed for our Mexican night seemed to ease the pressure on the boys and it was with high expectations that Alfie Peck and James Bamber strode out.
Taking the attack to the home bowling from the first ball, both James & Alfie batted majestically.
Pecky, fresh from his 170 a couple of weeks ago, was happy to play second fiddle to Bamber who took a shine to whatever was thrown at him.
A 100 partnership set the tone and even when Pecky fell for 54, with the score on 140, Bamber continued the onslaught.
Skipper Sam Davis was unlucky to be given out from a ball that clipped his thigh pad and his bat nowhere in sight– it did earn him the “Thanks for Coming” Award though.
Joel Couldrey entered the fray and followed up his skills in the field with a resilient 30 not-out and importantly keeping Bamber company.
Bamber’s century – scored at a run a ball – was a tremendous effort and ensured a first win for the side.
Hayes cruised home with 7 overs to spare – Bamber with a fine 128 not out earning him the “Man of the Match” Award.
A fine win and one that will hopefully set the scene for the next few games!
The 3’s travelled to Beckenham – albeit only to The Warren.
Losing the toss, they were asked to bowl first and on a typically dodgy looking Warren wicket, made early inroads as Olly Patterson and Leo Webster took wickets.
However, some mid-order resistance saw Hayes start to chase the game – it was only when slow bowler Johnny White took the ball that wickets began to tumble. Johnny finishing with 4-22.
Jayson Thompson also chipped in with 3 wickets as Beckenham finished on a creditable 177-9 in their 40 overs.
The Beckenham bowlers made good use of the new ball as ex Hayes Women’s player Issy Steet tore into the batting with 4-28 in her 9 overs.
Despite 20 from skipper Marc Wheatley and 24 from Johnny White, following up his excellent bowling, the Hayes reply petered out on 125.
A tough few weeks for the team but they have the skill to bounce back.
The 4’s hosted Sidcup on The Meadow – having been beaten by them last week they were looking to bounce back.
Taking a lead from the 1st XI, Ollie invited the opposition to bat first.
A sold start from Sidcup, putting on 47 for the first wicket, however a spirited Hayes performance saw them have the opposition in trouble at 80-6.
Graeme Morrison with 2-17 in his 9 overs being the pick of the bowling – Will Hadley with 2-20 being not far behind.
However Sidcup managed a recovery and finished on 169-8 after their 40 overs.
Opener Marcus Browne fell with the score on 21, however father Jeremy and young Jesse Rowson batted very well – Jesse out for a fine 51 – taking the score to 84.
There then followed a spectacular Hayes batting collapse – Jeremy finished on 31, however no other bat managed to get into double figures.
A final total of 143 all out saw a 26-run defeat – a game that was there for the taking but alas slipped away.
Sunday saw The Legends have a break and star billing went to the Women’s side who hosted Eastbourne.
The visitors won the toss and elected to invite Hayes to bat first.
Openers Jesse Jackson (47) and Zeena Bilal (31) got Hayes off to a sold start and with Ryana Macdonald-Gay then taking centre stage, moving the Hayes score onto 227-4.
Ryana batted superbly and finished on an unbeaten 91.
Despite a resilient 50 from their No 4, Eastbourne struggled in reply.
Sydney Gorham with 4-18 in 7 overs got Hayes off to a fine start, Beth Egan also picking up a brace. Ryana followed up her batting with a spell of 4-3-1-1 as Eastbourne were dismissed for 133 and a great 94 run win for the Women.
Having now played 3 matches, the Women sit on top of the Championship table.
So another fine weekend for the Club and with the Mexican Night proving a huge success it’s been a great first third of the season!
