Minster finished runners-up to Hayes in both the Premier League and T20 Final last season so were lucking to gain revenge as the half-way stage of the season was reached.
Stuart Eddicott was soon amongst the wickets, taking the first 2 as the visitors bats struggled against some fine Hayes bowling. Were it not for the Minster overseas hitting a century, Hayes would have been chasing a low total.
With Minster looking dangerous at 194-5, Stuart came back and started a collapse as the last 6 wickets fell for 34 runs – Stuart finishing with 3 – 58.
Alfie Peck bowled superbly to remove the middle-order – his 10 overs seeing a return of 3-40. Andrew Eddicott chipped in with a brace and with Finn Baker also joining the party, it was a magnificent performance from the team.
The opening partnership of Gareth Severin and Finn Baker got Hayes off to a strong start, putting on 84 before Finn gave a return catch. Will MacVicar and Migs Barbosa kept Gareth company as he set about the bowling.
Rory Low scored a fine 28* but it was the innings of Gareth that ensured Hayes had their 3rd win form the last 4 as they cruised home in the 44th over.
Gareth scored superb 146* from only 122 balls – 22 fours and 3 sixes. A fine example of power hitting as he finished the game with a maximum.
Hayes move up the table, putting a slow start to the season behind them.
The 2’s made their first league visit to Tonbridge in what turned out to be a thriller.
Bating first, the batsmen were soon in trouble. Skipper Grant Sheen (29) and Luxan Sureshan (30) batted sensible on a tricky wicket as Hayes managed to push the score onto 147 before being all-out off the last ball of the innings.
Dammika Silva and Joe Cotton made immediate inroads into the Tonbridge innings but at 109-3 and 128-5, it looked like a surprising loss for Hayes. Joel Couldrey than produced a devastating spell of 4-25 in his 10 overs and suddenly it was game-on! With Joe bowled out a tense finish ensued.
Joe Cotton and Johnny White both took wickets, but it was left to Tom Davis to clean-up the final Tonbridge bat as the 2’s claimed a remarkable victory!
The 2’s are currently third in the table and well placed to mount a promotion challengeas the season enters the second half.
The Meadow welcomed Catford Cyphers as they played the 3’s.
Catford were asked to bat and the opening attack of Jacob Marlow and Leo Webster were soon taking wickets – both grabbing two and with Matt Warne also grabbing a brace, Catford struggled.
Sam Millard was taken off injured, suffering a blow behind the stumps – we hear he’s well and hopefully donning the gloves soon.
Ben Manners also grabbed a couple and with Zoe Hainsworth and Graeme Morrison taking a wicket each, the Catford innings came to an end at 140.
Despite losing Matt and Jesse Rowson cheaply, Joe Bradshaw (71*) and Adam Greenway (50) ensured there would be no further panics as Hayes cruised home in the 34th over.
A closely packed table at the halfway point see’s Hayes with all to play for in the second half.
The 4’s travelled to Blackheath who were invited to bat first.
The home side batted well and with Hayes utilising 7 bowlers, wickets were spread around – debutant Kade McKenzie snaffling 3-36 being the highlight, as Dipesh Joshi, Oliver Molsher, Marcus Browne and Samuel Aylwin all took one wicket.
Blackheath closed on 187-8.
The Hayes reply got off to a poor start as both openers fell for ducks but skipper Rob Taylor (22) and Samuel Aylwin (47) got the innings back on track.
Kade followed up his bowling with a fine 32, but with wickets falling steadily, Hayes were on the brink of defeat with the score on 149-9.
Ronnie Buddin and Oliver Molsher (pictured) had other ideas and began to inch the side closer and closer to an unlikely win. Both youngsters batted really well as the tension mounted – finally getting Hayes home in the 39th over!
Ronnie finished on 26* and Oliver 13* – a terrific win and amazing batting!
The win lifts Hayes up the table and completes the double over Blackheath.
Sunday saw the women travel to St Lawrence & Highland Court, looking to avenge the men’s defeat last weekend.
In a 40 over a side game, the home side elected to bat and got off to a steady start before Jessica Matthews (2-26) broke the opening partnership.
Chelsey Rowson (4-29) was the pick of the bowling and Zoe Hainsworth and Jessica Golden both took a wicket.
St Lawrence were dismissed for 147 in the 26th over.
Chelsea (28) and Zoe (50*) got Hayes off to a fine start and despite a middle order wobble, Zoe Dreaneen joined the other Zoe and batted extremely well to finish on a run-a-ball 35*.
Hayes got home in the 36th over in a perfectly-paced innings.
The table now has Hayes on 3rd place.
The Development side ventured to Bexleyheath and invited the home side to bat first.
Luca Baker, with 1-13, opened well and Joe Cotton chipped in with a brace as the Bexleyheath innings got off to a slow start.
However, the middle order fired and it wasn’t until the introduction of Johnny Wilkie that the match began to flow in Hayes favour.
In a devastating display, Johnny took 6-19 in 5 overs – bowling Bexleyheath out for 187 in 36 overs.
The Hayes reply began well with Liam Buttery (13) and Alfie Peck (39) setting the pace – Joe Cotton (24) and Luca Baker (27) then following up but with runs hard to score it was Rory Low with a brisk 44 – 4 fours and 2 sixes – that took Hayes to the cusp of victory.
However with Rory run-out it was left to Johnny White and Oliver Molsher to face the last over with Hayes still adrift – 2 balls to go and Hayes needed 5, cue Johnny White smashing a boundary and then a scampered single saw Hayes win!
A close game but 6 wins out of 6 for the weekend!
We await a report from the Sunday Legends to see if Hayes managed 7 from 7!
