Saturday dawned with high hopes that the 1st XI could banish relegation fears with a win at Holmesdale and that the 2nd XI could cement promotion hopes against same opposition – the 3’s & 4’s also had ambitions to win local derbies.
Sadly by 7pm the hopes had led to defeats all round, but no serious damage caused as with 2 weeks to go all sides have promotion & relegation in their own hands.
Skipper Beau Couldrey lost the toss – a rare occurrence -and Hayes had to bat first in humid and overcast conditions. Holmesdale belied their position in the league and bowled well – James Bamber (28), Will MacVicar(18), Finlay Baker (22), Liam Buttery (37) and Beau (15) all got starts but Hayes succumbed to 169 all out in 49 overs.
Tea saw the weather improve and the help that the home bowlers had had, drifted away.
The Hayes attack did well and at 29-3 the home side were teering but sadly the middle order batted well and losing only one more wicket, they got home in the 27th over.
The 2’s batted first at home and another fine performance from Miguel Barbosa (67) (pictured) and new opening partner Grant Sheen, (45) saw them get off to a flying start.
However, with the exception of 36* from Rowan Macdonald-Gay, the middle order faltered and a score of 235-8 at close, on another excellent wicket, looked only par.
Johnny White and Joel Couldrey took 2 wickets each but some good batting by the visitors saw them home with 5 overs and 4 wickets left.
The 3’s travelled to Old Wilsonians and invited the home side to bat first.
At 17.5 it looked like an early day for the team but OW’s number 6 decided to let loose and proceeded to score 130* and the team finished on 214-8 after their 40 overs.
Matt Warne (65*) carried on his fine form and batted through the 40 overs but other than 25 from Keith Jackson, the visitors struggled and finished on 153-6 and a 61 run defeat.
Bexley were the visitors to The Meadow and elected to field.
Jeremy Browne top scored with 55 and with Sam Millard (22) on his return from injury, accompanied by Luke Jones (24) saw the Hayes core reach 149-7 at close.
Beth Egan and Kade McKenzie were the only successful bowlers as Bexley batted well and coasted home in the 36th over to win by 6 wickets.
Sunday was completely a different day as a previous post has shown – Champions of Kent!
The women were also in action and had a home game, which was played at Bickley Park, against Canterbury.
Canterbury opted to bat and got off to a good start before Jessica Matthews and Lottie Hayward bagged as couple of wickets each. Canterbury reached 194-5 in their 30 overs, and it looked a tough task for Hayes,
The Hayes batting was exceptional and for the 2nd week running a centurion came to the for – this week Chelsea Rowson scored a magnificent 110, ably supported by 70* from Zoe Hainsworth.
A nine-wicket win with 2 overs to spare saw Hayes finish runners-up in the inaugural Kent League – despite having beaten the winning team twice this season.
Despite a miserable Saturday, Sunday was another terrific day in the life of Hayes!
