Week 2 – How Did We Do?

Week 2 – Weather Relents!

Having endured a frustrating Saturday the previous week, the weather finally allowed us to start the season, with the 1^st XI travelling to Lordswood, the 2’s hosting High Halstow and the 3’s playing the away fixture against Chislehurst & West Kent – at Hayes!

Lordswood are now skippered by Scotland international, Callum MacLeod and have built a side capable of challenging for the title. As has been a regular occurrence, skipper Beau Couldrey won the toss and inserted the opposition.

Will MacVicar was soon showing his class as he tore through the opening 3 bats, leaving the home side at 15-3 however it wasn’t until 97 before another wicket fell – quickly leading to 102-5 as Alex Blake entered the attack.

Lordswood stuck to the task though and although Connor Byrne picked up a couple, with Will coming back and ending up with 6, the home side managed to get to a respectable, if reachable, 190 all out.

Looking to build on last seasons success Gareth Severin and James Bamber opened and put on 39 before James fell.

Gareth was then unlucky to be adjudged LBW, Will was cleaned out for 6 and Alex also fell to an LBW.

Hayes were 98-4 and soon this became 128-7 – Stuart Eddicott and Connor Byrne put some respectability on the score, but Hayes succumbed to 145 all out as Lordswood avenged last season’s 2 defeats.

The 2^nd XI, now captained by Grant Sheen, entertained High Halstow and Grant sends the following report on the first league meeting between the 2 sides.

“Finally, the weather played its part and we got our league season underway against High Halstow. 

I won the toss and after some deliberation decided to resort to my stock decision of batting first. 

A steady opening partnership of 40 between Sheen and Barbosa gave us a solid base which we sadly didn’t capitalise on.

Halstow bowled steadily enough bur all the top 5 got in but failed to kick on. A last wicket stand of 18 between Tom “Naughty” Davis and Dammika “Dammie” Silva proved to be invaluable seeing us to 144.

We went into the field with a belief that we could turn the game around if we took early wickets.

We bowled superbly and even though we managed to drop 5 catches bowled Halstow out for 108.  Sheen 4 Naughty 2 Dammie 2 Luxan 1 Peck 1, taking the wickets. 

We move on knowing there is work to be done and improvement to be made but winning a close game early in the season will instil great confidence into the team for the weeks ahead.”

The game against Chislehurst proved a chastening experience for the side, captained for the day by Iain Gauld.

Batting first, Keith Jackson (21) was to only player to make double-figures as Hayes were skittled for 69.

Despite taking 4 wickets, Matt Warne with a brace, Chislehurst cruised home in the 20^th over.

Sunday saw ECB National Cup action as Hayes welcomed local rivals Bromley.

The toss was duly lost by the opposition, and yes, Hayes invited them to bat.

Steady bowling by the Hayes bowlers kept the opposition in check and wickets fell at regular intervals – Andy Eddicott getting 2-13 and brother Stu 2-15 being the highlights.

Bromley closed their innings on 152-7 – the Cup being 40 over a side.

It should have been a straight forward run chase but the demons of Saturday were still hanging around. A 50 run partnership between Gareth Severin and James Bamber came to an end when Gareth was adjudged LBW somewhat harshly.

Skipper for the day, Alex Blake fell for 17 and with James swiftly following for 26, it was 76-3.

Tomas Gallagher and Rory Low looked set to guide Hayes home but Tomas’s wicket on 94, Finn Baker on 98 and an unlucky run-out for Will MacVicar saw Hayes at 104-6.  Rory and Scott Gallagher pushed the score to 126 before Rory was out with the score on 126-7.

Hayes were in trouble but as has often been the case, Stuart Eddicott came to the rescue with 23* of 15 balls – with Scott solid at the other end, finishing on 14*, Hayes got home with no more problems!

Wimbledon away is our next fixture on the road to Lords!

The Women had their first league game of the season, hosting The Mote on The Meadow.

Following the lead of the men, The Mote were invited to bat first.

Wickets came easily and with 2 each for Jessica Matthews, Alexa Stonehouse (for no runs!) and Anya Rastogi, The Mote crumbled to 80 all out.

Alexa followed up her bowling with an undefeated 42 as Hayes cruised home in the 16^th over.

A new format for the Women with 50% of the season 40 over games and 50% T20 – a great start but tougher tests to come.

A good weekend for the club and nice to return to the 2 days of cricket on a weekend!