ECB National Champions, Bexley, hosted the 1st XI on Saturday, with he boys looking to both bounce Back from the defeat to Sandwich and build on the win at Wimbledon in the Cup.
With Beau Couldrey still injured, stand-in skipper Alex Blake won the toss and invited Bexley to bat first.
Stuart Eddicott secured an early breakthrough, but Bexley batted steadily and despite Alex and Scott Gallagher picking up a pair of wickets, the Bexley bats all chipped-in – a 50 run partnership at the end of the innings gave them a healthy-looking score of 229-7.
Andy Eddicott and Will MacVicar being the other wicket-takers – an injury to Connor Byrne depleted the bowling ranks,
Looking to get off to a fast-start, Hayes had the worst possible start as Gareth Severin was adjudged LBW to one pitching outside leg stump – one of a series of poor decisions Gareth has had this season – but plenty of time for luck to change. Miguel Barbosa and Will MacVicar quickly followed Gareth and at 12-3, Hayes were tottering – this quickly became 23-4 as Tomas Gallagher was dismissed.
Alex and Roy Low then set about repairing the damage and a 112 run partnership gave Hayes hope until Alex was caught on the boundary for 64. Liam Buttery batted well for 20 before attempting a quick single and falling to a direct hit – Scott Gallagher also scored 14 but the fall of Rory for 83 saw the Hayes reply peter out and agonising 20 runs short.
A spirited display against a strong Bexley side.
The 2’s hosted Dartford and with skipper Grant Sheen away, Colin Couldrey continued his stint as stand-in and had no hesitation in batting first on a good-looking wicket.
His faith was soon rewarded as Finn Baker set about the bowling, with Liam Vallois also in fine form, they had a century partnership – making 107 before Liam was out for 41. Finlay followed shortly after having made a fine 73.
Sam Davis (32) and Alfie Peck (39) ensured the momentum remained with Hayes and with Joe Bradshaw also scoring 18, the Hayes innings concluded at 221-5.
A 50-run partnership was ended by Finn replicating his batting with some tight bowling (10-2-20-1) and with Tom Davis (10-2-30-2) also bowling well the Dartford innings was soon under pressure and despite a late flurry of runs, they fell 20 short and a good win for the side – Luxan Sureshan with 3 wickets ensured there were no late dramas.
Old Colfeians were the visitors to The Meadow and were asked to field first.
Despite the early loss of Sam Millard, Matt Warne (47) and Marc Wheatley (48) batted well – George Parry with 41 also scored well but skipper Leo Webster proved the star bat with a fine 70 not out as Hayes finished on an excellent 264-7.
The Old Colf’s batting got off to a steady-start but a smart run-out from Zoe Hainsworth coupled with 3-25 in 6 overs, out the brakes on the visitors reply and with Chelsey Rowson and Ben Manners also snaffling 2 wickets each, Old Colf’s were restricted to 181-9 in their 40 overs and an 83 run win for Hayes.
Orpington hosted the 4th XI, who won the toss and elected to bat.
Ronnie Budin with 3 wickets was the pick of the bowlers but the batsmen were on top for most of the innings – although Jeremy Browne snuck in with 2 late wickets.
Orpington closed on 259-9.
Despite 59 from the afore mentioned Jeremy, and Hector Rose (29) & Jeremy Wilkie (20), the rest of the batting failed to sp ark, and Hayes were bowled out in the final over for 160.
Saturday proved a brutal afternoon for injuries – 5 players from the Sunday side falling and a late cancellation of the fixture meant only the Women were in action – a T20 away at Dulwich.
The scorecard isn’t yet in but sadly the Hayes score of 96-4 wasn’t good enough as Dulwich chased down the runs for the loss of 2 wickets.
A lot of positives from the weekend and with the sun now shining it would be good to see plenty of support on Saturday as the 1st XI host Blackheath in key fixture.
