The 1st XI has led the Premier League for most of the season and last weeks win, with Minster losing, saw a slight gap appear and we entered Week 15 needing to remain focussed and fight not only Bickley Park, but the searing heat.
Beau Couldrey was again successful in winning the toss and for a change – perhaps the 36-degree heat had something to do with it – he chose to bat first.
Gareth Severin ensured we got off to the fast start we have become accustomed to, Fin Baker keeping him company.
Finn (6) fell with the score on 45, bringing Will MacVicar to the crease.
When Gareth was out for 37, Alex Blake came to the crease and fresh from last weeks partnership, they both batted sensibly. Scoring wasn’t easy on a turning pitch but both Will and Alex applied themselves well.
A partnership of 107 was ended when Will fell for 46 with the score at 167.
Rory Low then strode to the crease and the run-rate took an upturn as both Rory and Alex took on the Bickley bowlers.
A 104-run partnership ensued with Rory falling just before the innings close for a magnificent 42.
The star of the batting though was Alex – a stunning 132 with 6 sixes and 11 fours. He remained undefeated and scoring his 3rd league century of the season – the innings coming to a close on 277-4.
Would that be enough?
The Hayes opening attack of Stuart Eddicott & Will MacVicar has been successful all season and both were soon amongst the wickets, with Stu taking 2 and Will 1, reducing the home side to 41-3.
However, Bickley then rallied, and a strong 4th wicket partnership took the score to 120 and the Hayes total no longer looked unassailable.
It was then Beau turned to Alex Blake and Andrew Eddicott. Andrew has been a revelation this season and his left arm line has reaped not only many wickets but kept run-rates in check – once again he bowled his 10 overs for a miserly 31 run, taking 1 wicket.
However, it was Alex Blake who followed up his impressive batting with the breakthrough and Bickley stuttered to 133-6.
Alex bowled his 10 overs, taking 3-30 and any chance Bickley had of winning ended – they eventually stuttered to 214-7 in their 50 overs.
With Minster also winning, it’s become a battle between the 2 promoted sides and there now remains 3 weeks left and Blackheath next up at home next Saturday.
The 2’s have had a stop-start season and Bromley were the visitors to Hayes.
Skipper Sam Davis elected to bat first and Liam Vallois and Alfie Peck resumed there opening partnership.
However, Alfie fell early for 4 and although Liam made double figures (18) Hayes had lost both openers for 30.
Sam Davis made 16 and at 76-3, Hayes looked in trouble.
Liam Buttery, fighting for a 1st team recall, was not-out and a partnership of 98 ensued with Matt Baker, which got the innings back on track. Matt eventually run-out for 38.
Liam then had a 25 run partnership with Joe Cotton (9) and 47 with Lucca Baker (22). Liam continued to bat well and reached his century – going on to make a fine 118 before falling just before the close.
Colin Couldrey chipped in with 10 as Hayes closed on 269-7.
Bromley were soon in trouble as 56-3 and 85-4 as Joe Cotton took 2 wickets, Colin Couldrey 1 and Alfie Peck 1. Ashley Quayle joined the party with 2 wickets as Hayes looked comfortable with Bromley on 112-5.
Sadly a 114-run partnership ensued and took the visitors to the cusp of victory – which was secured in the 40th over.
A tough day at the office but 3 weeks remain, and a couple of close defeats can easily be turned into wins in the coming weeks.
The 3’s hosted Beckenham on The Meadow and despite the heat, invited the opposition to bat.
Olly Patterson continued his fine form with a stunning opening spell – 9-5-11-4 – to break the back of the Beckenham batting.
MD Belal has also been on fine form with the ball and he continue the demolition – taking 4-17 in 7 overs.
Beckenham never recovered and were skittled for 89!
Despite losing Marcus Browne and Ian Fieldwick early, Matt Warne (42*) ensured no collapse as Hayes raced home for a 7 wicket win in the 17th over.
The 3’s remain top of the league with 2 games to play – Old Colfianss and London Knights remain close!
The 4’s, travelled to Petts Wood – rented for the week by Chislehurst & West Kent.
Stand-in skipper George Perry won the toss and elected to bat.
An inspired decision as the Hayes 4th XI were on fire – well it was a hot day – and opener Jesse Rowson batted superbly, falling for 93 with the score on 160.
George Perry and Simon Flinn then took up the mantle and made the home bowlers toil in the sun – they had been offered the opportunity to reduce the overs.
The score reached 262-2 off 35 overs when George reached his century, and the 4th XI record books were being studied.
With the loss of George’s wicket it now was left to Simon Flinn to try and score a century – he needed 28 from the last over and he delivered – a 6 off the final ball ensuring a 4th XI record score of 345-3 – beating the previous record of 325, set in 2020 (thanks Stuart Baker).
Chislehurst also batted well on a good track but with such a large total to chase, Hayes were always in control – wickets were shared around with Ronnie Buddin, Will Hadley, Ben Manners removing the openers.
Sam Aylwin chipped in with a wicket– however the home side never threatened the Hayes score and closed on 275-6 and a great win for the 4’s.
Sunday saw the women have a walk-over as Bells Yew Green forfeited – shame they never told their Umpire who arrived on time!
The Development side were back in action, hosting Bexleyheath.
The visitors elected to bat and got off to a good start, seeing off the opening attack of Lucca Baker and Joe Cotton without losing a wicket.
However the change bowlers were soon amongst the wickets – Ed Wilkie 2-26, Luxan Sureshan 3-39 and skipper Fin Baker 3-26.
Zach Downey and Oli Molsher picked up a wicket each as Bexleyheath finished on 221 all out in the final over.
Rory Low and Zach Downey were dismissed quickly as Hayes reached 23-2 but with Tomas Gallagher and Fin Baker at the wicket, runs came easily.
Fin went for 25, but this bought Saturday’s centurion, Liam Buttery to the crease and he continued his fine form with a quick-fire 62 not out. Tomas at the other end continued his onslaught making a fine 117 before being dismissed just before the end.
Jo Cotton (7*) helped Liam bring the match to a close in the 27th over and a fine Hayes win.
Hayes neck and neck with Bromley at the top of the Development League.
The Sunday 2’s travelled to Beckenham – no scorecard available as we go to press but they succumbed to a 8 wicket loss, being dismissed for 102 and Beckenham racing home for the loss of 2 wickets.
Another great weekend with 5 centurions – take a bow Alex Blake, Liam Buttery, George Perry, Simon Flinn and Tomas Gallagher.
