The second half of the season saw the 1st XI travel to the delightful setting of Sevenoaks Vine as skipper Beau Couldrey had a busy weekend with a National Cup game on Sunday too.
Hayes actually lost a toss and with rain forecast, The Vine invited Hayes to bat first.
Gareth Severin, fresh from acquiring a new first class contract with Wellington, opened the batting with Finn Baker. This partnership has performed well over the past few weeks and once again pushed the score onto 89 before Finn (22) was unluckily given out caught, off his arm.
Gareth made a brisk 58 before edging one behind and then the expected rain delay – an hour was lost, meaning the match was reduced to 45 overs a side.
On the resumption Alex Blake (85) took charge with a his runs scored in 63 balls, including 2 big 6’s.
Will MacVicar with 33 kept Alex company and with the middle order also chipping on with quick runs, Hayes amassed 266-6.
The Vine has some small boundaries and a good bowling performance was needed.
The Hayes opening attack of Stuart Eddicott and Will MacVicar were soon amongst the wickets, reducing the home side to 37-3.
However a 91 run partnership for the 4th wicket saw The vine start to get on top, with their overseas looking in fine form.
The reintroduction of Will saw Hayes take the vital wicket as he clung onto a caught and bowled – the bowlers remained on top and with no further scares the home innings closed on 235-8 and a fine win for Hayes.
The 2’s hosted Upchurch 1st XI and were asked to field first.
Dammika Silva with a tight spell of 10 overs, 1-26 set the scene as the Hayes bowlers remained on top. Grant Sheen with 2 for 13 from his 9.4 overs was the pick of the bowling. Joel Couldrey with 4-26 ensured that the visitors were dismissed for 152.
Despite losing 2 quick wickets, Miguel Barbosa (46) and Liam Buttery (71*) ensured Hayes a deserved victory and second place in the table.
The 3rd XI travelled to Sidcup but with an early shower, the game was abandoned.
The 4’s were invited to bowl first also against Sidcup and were soon in trouble as the visitors struck early.
Kade McKenzie (27) and Alex Stirling (22) were the only bats to get a meaningful score as Hayes were skittled for 117.
Thomas Walker took 2 wickets in his first over as Hayes sensed a glimmer of hope but despite Jack Belton also taking a brace, the visitors won in the 25th over for the loss of 6 wickets.
Sunday saw Hayes take on the National Champions, Bexley, in a final 16 tie.
Reverting to bowling first, Hayes didn’t make any early breakthroughs and the Bexley openers batted steadily as they made 106 before losing a wicket, Scott Gallagher making the breakthrough. Hayes would rue their poor catching with a number of drops proving crucial.
Wickets fell steadily but some powerful hitting saw Bexley finish on 248-9 in their 40 overs. Alfie Peck with 4 being the pick of the bowlers – Andrew Eddicott and Joe Cotton also taking a brace.
A reachable target on a good batting surface with some short boundaries but Hayes would need to bat well to keep their dream of a Lords final alive.
A quick opening partnership of 29 came to an end with both Rory Low and Gareth Severin falling on the same score. Tom Gallagher and Liam Buttery came and went and at 40-4 the Hayes reply was in tatters. Finn Baker (37) and Scott Gallagher (46) put on the score but with Scott being superbly run-out the resistance came to an end as Hayes were all-out for 150.
Good luck to Bexley as they look to retain the Cup.
The Women travelled to The Mote and invited the home side to bat first.
Despite a 93 run opening partnership, Hayes soon began to dominate with Lucia Philpott taking 3-44, Jessica Matthews 2-29, Ryana Macdonald-Gay (pictured – thanks to Getty for the Image) 2-17 and Dana Donaldson 2-8.
The Mote were bowled out for 188 in the 39th over.
A stunning opening partnership of 153 between Ryana and Jemima Ringham saw Hayes cruise to a fine win in 32 overs.
Ryana finishing on 110 not out, Jemima scoring 43 as Hayes move to 3rd in the table.
A depleted Development side took on Bexley at Hayes.
Bexley opted to bat first and were soon plundering runs as the bowlers were put to the sword.
Ben Manners took 2 wickets, with Ed Wilkie and Ben Philpott taking one each as the visitors scored 345-4 on their 40 overs.
A spirited 40 from Ed Wilkie offered some resistance and with Ronnie Buddin (15) and Lucca Baker (28) also scoring runs, Hayes did bat through to the 35th over before being bowled out for 131.
Plenty of cricket and some good performances as all sides look to strengthen their positions in the coming weeks.
