Hayes 1st XI travelled to Beckenham in the penultimate league fixture as title rivals Minster were visitors to Bexley.
Beau Couldrey won the toss and elected to bat first.
James Bamber and New Zealander Gareth Severin opened the batting, a partnership of 19 was ended when James was dismissed for 13. Will MacVicar, once of Beckenham, then strode to the crease and a partnership of 87 ensued – Gareth being caught for 47.
Alex Blake, also formerly of Beckenham, then gave the home side a glimmer of hope as he skied a long-hop and was dismissed for a single.
Tomas Gallagher has had a great season for the 1st XI and underlined his talent as he made 47 in a 81 run partnership with Will, taking the score to 190.
Rory Low came and went but Stuart Eddicott added some lusty blows as Hayes looked to pile on the runs on a difficult wicket.
Will powered on to make a magnificent 108, falling at the death as Hayes finished on 271-8 = skipper Beau 12*.
Fresh from his batting Will also opened the bowling and dismissed both openers with the score on 32.
Some middle order resistance was brought to an end by Alex Blake – the old adage of one brings 2 applying with the score on a fateful 111.
News from Bexley was encouraging as Minster were struggling in their run chase and the Hayes side knew a victory for them, couples with a Minster defeat, would bring the title to Hayes.
The Minster game was streamed, and all eyes were on both matches!
Beckenham, with 4 down, found runs hard to come-by as the Hayes bowlers dominated – Will taking 3-34, Stu 2-39, Beast 1-24 and star bowler was Alex Blake with 4-30.
News reached the assembled Hayes spectators shortly before the end of the Beckenham innings that Minster had been beaten!
It was left to Hayes legend Stuart Eddicott to take the final wicket and secure Hayes their first Premier League Title in its history!
A stunning achievement in the first season we have played in the Premier League!
The celebrations went on long into the night and continued at the Beer Festival on the following day!
One game left – home to Sandwich next Saturday – come along and support the Champions!
The 2nd XI hosted Bromley Common, skipper Sam Davis winning the toss and electing to field.
Colin Couldrey’s first over maybe one he chooses to forget – he’s forgiven as he only landed from Canada hours before the game – but he did take a wicket in his 12 balls!
The Common’s batsmen struggled all innings – Tom Davis 2-38, Luxan Sureshan 1-20, Joel Couldrey 2-9 but the undoubted pick of the bowling was Alfie Peck with 4-19.
The Common were skittled for 131.
The Hayes reply was led by Liam Vallois and Fin Baker and they never looked in trouble as they batted sensibly and knocked-off the runs without being dismissed, in 35 overs.
Fin finishing in 73* and Liam 47*.
A great 10 wicket win which means next weeks fixture at Sandwich becomes a relegation decider!
The 2’s then headed to Beckenham to cheer home the 1st XI!
The 3’s are riding high in the League and travelled to Catford & Cyphers.
Catford elected to bat first and aside from the mercurial MD Belal – 9 overs 4-21 in another splendid display, the other bowlers struggled.
Catford benefited from a century by their No 5, as they closed on 186-8 in their 40 overs.
Graeme Morrison with 2, Jesse Rowson with 1 and a Moggsy run-out being the other wicket takers.
Matthew Warne (24) gave Hayes a positive start but with wickets falling steadily the Hayes reply struggled and it was only some late order hitting from veteran Kevin Coates (42*) and Iain Gauld 20, that put some respectability on a blow par performance as Hayes were dismissed for 124.
The 4th XI hosted Chislehurst & West Kent on The Meadow.
News is slow to reach us of the details on this match, but Chislehurst batted first, making an impressive 228-7 in their 40 overs.
In reply Ronnie Buddin (21), Simon Flinn (25) and Rob Taylor (46) gave Hayes hope but it was not to be as they were all-out for 151. A good effort from the side and one match remains of the season.
Sunday was the annual Beer Festival at the club, so the Development game was played on The Meadow, Bromley Panthers being the visitors.
The Hayes score of 239-9 was largely down to a fantastic 133 in 101 balls from Rory Low – 4 x 6, 18 x 4, in a great innings!
Liam Buttery, opening the batting, made an excellent 54.
On a good wicket the Bromley batsmen batted sensibly as they set about their target and although Hayes bowled tidily, Matt Marriott and Fin Baker taking 2 each with Luxan Sureshan and Johnny White taking 1, Bromley got the win with 2 overs to spare.
An excellent weekend for the Club – dominated by the historic league win for the 1st XI!
