Premier League Champions Hayes were in T20 Final action on Saturday, taking on Minster at the County Ground in Beckenham.
A much-changed Hayes side – Dan Reece’s wedding, the Berlin Marathon and Ibiza – took its toll!
Alex Blake, fresh from winning the Royal London Cup with Kent last weekend, captained a youthful (yes, Migs is still classed as young) side, who were eager to impress.
A diligent and well-run warm-up should have given Minster an idea of how serious the team were taking the match.
The toss went to Minster who elected to bat first and opened with ex Zimbabwe & Hampshire batsman Sean Ervine and the talented James Thompson.
Joe Cotton, whose England Hockey commitments have limited his game time this season, opened the bowling and with his Grandad watching on in Majorca, proceed to bowl Sean Irvine second ball and
give Hayes a superb start.
Joe then removed Kent 2nd Team player Joe Parry with the score on 16 and when Lucca Baker- on debut – removed the dangerous Essex player, Aron Nijjar, Minster were 25-3 with 3 stars back in the hutch!
Joe’s 4 overs cost only 11 runs and he claimed two prized wickets.
James Thompson and Kai Appleby then started to repair the damage, but Scott Gallagher got the breakthrough, bowling James for 29 – Finlay Baker then chipping in with a wicket as the Hayes bowlers remained on top.
Alex Blake then removed Kai Appleby (42) and as the overs ran out, Minster finished on 106-7.
A terrific performance in the field – typified by a stunning piece of fielding by Tomas Gallagher as he threw himself over the boundary to flick back a ball that was destined to be a 6!
Minster opened with another ex-County player and Kent League stalwart, David Masters, partnered by Essex player, Nijjar, who looked to put early pressure on Hayes openers, Alex Blake & James Bamber.
Alex & James batted exceptionally well as they took the score to 35 without any danger.
Minster rotated the bowling in the hope of getting a breakthrough and Alex managed to feather a ball behind – when Liam Buttery fell next ball, Minster were buoyant.
Tomas Gallagher then joined James and proceeded to dominate the attack – a splendid 49*,
with James (35) falling just before the winning runs were scored, fittingly by TG. Hayes getting home with 15 balls to spare.
The Hayes players had been brilliant – everyone gave 100% and the triumphant scenes as congratulations flowed from a great Hayes support, were richly deserved!
Tomas Gallagher was voted man-of-the-match by the Kent hierarchy.
A great end to the season – A League & Cup Double!
