Looking to build on last weeks first win of the season, Hayes 1st XI welcomed Holmesdale on Saturday, with the 2nd XI making the reverse fixture.
The 4’s travelled to Bexley as the 3’s welcomes Old Wilsonians on the Meadow.
Sunday saw the men play their 4th game in the ECB National Cup as they travelled to Sandwich, the Women were at Canterbury and the Development side were also in action, hosting Blackheath.
A packed weekend of cricket!
Hayes, as is their wont, elected to field with Holmesdale losing the toss.
The game was preceded by a moments silence in respect of the 2 students killed in Nottingham last week. They were both friends of one of the Holmesdale players as well as being keen cricketers too – a horrible week and we extend our sympathies to all.
Gareth Severin has recovered from a sore finger and was back behind the stumps – he marked his return with a terrific performance in taking 5 catches- 4 off the bowling of Will MacVicar!
With Gareth and Will in such fine form, wickets tumbled regularly and with Stuart Eddicott and his brother Andrew chipping in with 2 wickets a piece, the Holmesdale innings was soon under pressure.
Alfie Peck also bowled a terrific spell on 8 overs, taking one wicket and only going for 14 rums.
Will finished with 5 wickets as Holmesdale succumbed to 98 all out.
Will and Migs Barbosa fell in the Hayes reply but Gareth (43*) and Finn Baker (22*) ensured there were no further scares as Hayes hit the target in the 18th over.
The 2’s had a similar match – Holmesdale batted first and were soon under pressure as Luxan Sureshan took 3-24 – Grant Sheen with 3-21 and Dammika Silva (2-19) also bowled well as the home side were dismissed for 108.
A classy 58* from Liam Vallois ensured there were no scares in reaching the required runs – James Bamber with 22 also batted well and Hayes were home in the 16th over.
The 3’s had a much closer match against local rivals Old Wilsonians. OW’s batted first and some tight bowling form Jacob Marlow and Will Hadley kept the runs down – skipper Leo Webster with 3 and Matt Warne 2 looked to have OW’s facing a low score.
However, their tail wagged, and some quick runs saw them reach 193-6 in their 40 overs – Zoe Hainsworth taking the other wicket.
Keith Jackson (20) and Matt Warne (59) saw Hayes make a solid start but some tight OW’s bowling saw Hayes make hard work of the chase.
George Perry hit a classy 59 and Adam Greenway celebrated his sister’s OBE with 19 before Graeme Morrison and Sam Millard saw Hayes home in the final over. Sam had earlier been involved in a farcical run-out with both he and Jacob Marlow being at the same end – Jacob taking the hit!
The 4’s faced a strong Bexley side and despite wickets for Dipesh Joshi, Alex Stirling, Ronnie Buddin and Jack George, Bexley piled on 256-4 in their 40 overs.
Kiran Bridges (21), skipper Rob Taylor (17) and Dipesh (16) were the only bats to get into double figures as Bexley bowled the Hayes side out for 92.
Sunday saw the weather change and the Development side, who were at home, managed to score 241 – Finn Baker (40) Ben Philpott (53) Edward Wilkie (25) and Sam Millard (66*) – were the run scorers – Blackheath reached 36-0 before the heavens opened and the game was abandoned.
The Women played their latest T20 match at Canterbury and bowled first.
Canterbury were restricted to 108-7 – 2 wickets for Jesse Golden and Rhyanna Macdonald-Gay bowling a tidy 1-9 in her 3 overs being the highlights.
A 53 run opening partnership between Ryana (33) and Zeena Bilal (23) looked ot have Hayes on course for a win but from 71-1 Hayes fell to 80-7 as their innings petered out, finishing on 83.
The highlight of the day was the ECB Cup at Sandwich – a coach being booked for the occasion with both the team and supporters looking forward to a day at seaside!
With rain forecast later in the game, Hayes had no hesitation in opting to field as they looked to make amends for the league defeat a few weeks ago.
28 runs came of the first over as Alfie Peck couldn’t repeat his fine bowling of the previous day and the Sandwich opener showed no mercy!
Alex Blake slowed the run rate down with a wicket in the 2nd over but the Sandwich No 3 also took a shine to the Hayes bowling and after 10 overs a run-chase of 400 looked on the cards,
However, spurred on a by a fine Hayes support, the bowlers began to get on top.
Returning skipper Beau Couldrey made the wise decision to take pace off and he and Scott Gallagher both bowled fine spells – Beau 2-35 and Scott 3-36, as the run-rate dropped.
Stuart Eddicott and Alex Blake also chipped in with 2 wickets as the Sandwich innings came to an end at 288-9. A fine fightback!
Gareth Severin opened with new partner Rory Low and they were soon amongst the runs – rain was falling as the first wicket fell at 38 and the DLS tables were soon out as Hayes were looking at ensuring they were ahead of the “par” score.
Gareth hit a brisk 71 before he was unluckily adjudged LBW but Alex Blake proved the star of the show with a 43 ball 74* as the rain and thunder finally came.
The match was finely poised but with Hayes far ahead on DLS, it was another fine win in the Cup.
A great day-out and the boys march on.
Last Years Cup Winners, Bexley, now await, in a game scheduled for Sunday July 8th at Bexley.
A fine weekend for the club – capped off with news that Lydia Greenway was to be awarded an OBE for her services to cricket!
