A stunning weekend for Hayes and a great end to the league season – but very tense!
The 1st XI travelled to Minster for a crucial fixture – 5 sides were in danger of relegation, including the home team.
At 5pm there was a large cloud over Minster as the 1st XI were staring down the barrel of relegation – on a retched wicket, the home side had been bowled out for 123 and the Hayes reply was reduced to 47-5.
Earlier Will MacVicar had bowled superbly in taking 3-16 in his 9 overs – the match having been shortened to 90 overs due to a wet pitch. Stuart Eddicott took 1-18, Scott Gallagher 2-29, Alfie Peck continuing his fine form with 2-24 and Alex Blake picking up one wicket – some tight bowling from Finlay Baker as well saw the bowlers dominate.
However, proving how resilient the team is, the fightback began.
Finlay Baker (22) had played a patient innings before his downfall at 47-5. Tomas Gallagher then took the game to Minster with a fine 29 before being stumped with the score on 94 – with still 30 needed it was then left to the skipper Beau Couldrey and Liam Buttery to steer the team home – with the ball still playing tricks, the tension was high amongst the Hayes supporters – particularly when news filtered through that nothing but a win would save the team from relegation.
Beau & Liam batted superbly to keep the bowlers in-check and a deft boundary from Beau saw the scores level
and a single next ball gave Hayes a superb win!
The win actually took the team to 5th in the final table and a top=half finish! Probably the tightest finishes to a league season in KCL history and commiserations to Sevenoaks Vine who went down by a point – the first time in their history they have been relegated from the Premier League, having been founder members in 1992.
The 2’s needed to beat bottom side Tonbridge to secure the title and were asked to field first.
Skipper Grant Sheen set the standard with the ball – 4-41 in his 10 overs, followed up by young Johnny White taking 3-36 and not-so-young Colin Couldrey with 2-15 – Dammika Silva bowled tightly as usual, without a wicket – Tom Davis taking a wicket in his spell.
Tonbridge’s tail wagged and a 29 run last wicket partnership meant Hayes would have to bat well to achieve the win.
Openers Liam Vallois and Miguel Barbosa put on 68 before they both fell in quick succession – Liam with 23 and Migs 37. Grant then took the game to the visitors and a steady 63*, helped out by 12 from Joel Couldrey, 17 from Rowan Macdonald-Gay and an undefeated 11 from Sam Davis, the 2’s cruised home in the 46th over to begin the celebrations!
A fine season and expertly captained by Grant Sheen!
The 3’s travelled to Catford Cyphers for their final league game and were invited to bat first.
Samuel Aylwin continued his fine form with 82, as did Ronnie Buddin with an undefeated 72.
Sam Millard chipped in with 23 as the 3’s posted a healthy 219-8 in their 40 overs.
On a good batting track, despite 2 wickets each for Johnny Wilkie and MD Belal, the home batting proved too strong and Catford knocked off the runs in the penultimate over.
A strong season for the side and 4th place in the final table.
Sunday saw the Women take on The Mote for the Kent Premier League title.
Skipper Chelse Rowson won the toss and invited The Mote to bat first.
The game being played at the home sides ground due their higher finish in the league.
The home batting started well and with some nervy Hayes bowling and fielding they put on 103 for the first wicket – falling to a great ball from Zeena Bilal. At 170-3 it looked like Hayes would be facing a total near 250 but then the introduction of Zoe Dreaneen saw the tide change.
A devastating spell of 3.4 overs saw Zoe take 5-11 as The Mote collapsed to 200 all out, having been 189-4!
Skipper Chelsea also picked up a couple of wickets, as did Lucia Philpott.
The Hayes reply got off to a bad start with Chelseas falling in the 2nd over, adjudged leg before. Ryana Macdonald-Gay scored 25 before she was also victim to a LBW and at 66-2 there was still along way to go for the visitors.
Emily Barrett had already scored a century this season and continued to take the game to the opposition with some fine stroke play. Zeena Bilal (25) offered fine support and Zoe Dreaneen was desperately unlucky to be given out in a Bairstowesque manner.
However, Zoe Hainsworth then joined Emily and offered the support to get Emily both to her century and then finally over the line in the 33rd over.
Emily finished on a superb 122* and the team are Kent Premier League winners – following up the men’s triumph the previous year – congratulations to Richard Sheridan on his fine management in his inaugural season.
The Development side finished the season with a match at Dartford.
Batting first they got off to a fast start with Alfie Peck (32) and Finlay Baker (80) showing fine form.
Alfie’s dismissal saw Liam Buttery stride to the crease, and he continued the onslaught with a fine century. Sam Aylwin finishing 26* as Hayes posted 274 in 40 overs.
Despite a Dartford batsman scoring a century as well, they were never in the hunt and with skipper Fin Baker using 9 bowlers, the innings petered out at 228-9 and a fine win to wrap up the season – Fin has had a tough task this season with the number of senior Sunday Cup games and has proved an adept captain at getting sides out!
With Downe conceding the Sunday 2’s had no fixture.
A Great Weekend for the Club and roll on 2024!
