Beau Couldrey had come through the junior system at Hayes, and was elected 1st Captain for the 2018 season taking over from Simon Routh. The team had been relegated from Division 1 in 2017, having managed only 4 wins, and were looking for a quick return.
Beau’s first game as captain was away against Gore Court and he top scored with 62 in a convincing win. Two more half centuries and a bunch of wickets would help the side finish level in 2nd place with Broadstairs but happily promoted in front of them because we had more wins batting first (that particular rule was removed for the next season).
Back in Division 1 for 2019, and 8 wins would see us finish safely in 5th place, and knocked out in the 3rd round of the T20 (round of 16) which seemed to be as far as we ever got.
The following year was the covid year, and our first games were against Beckenham in July, 2 friendly T20s which we won, as well as a competitive football match (jumpers for goalposts) in which we also narrowly triumphed.
League cricket returned in 2021, and our ranks were bolstered by the signings of Alex Blake and Will McVicar. Beau’s ambition was to take the side into the Premier League, and our squad was now strong enough to give it a real shot. In the end we would lose just 3 games, 2 to the force that was Minster and the other to the eventually relegated Sidcup earning us a richly deserved promotion to the Premier League for the first time! Disappointment followed in the T20. Having reached the semi-final for the first time ever, a close game against Bexley was decided by a fast ball hitting and breaking Blakey’s arm when he looked to be in top form letting Bexley sneak home.
Starting in the Premier League in 2022, Hayes knew that no team finishing as runners up in Division 1 had ever managed to avoid relegation the next season. However, an away win against Bexley in the first game was followed by a last wicket win against Sevenoaks Vine, with Stuart Eddicott smashing a 6 off the penultimate ball to win the game. Hayes had arrived and momentum was with us. The first seven games all ended in victory, including a win over Blackheath with Beau taking 4 wickets and hitting 32 runs. The second half of the season would also see Gareth Severin, our overseas start scoring the runs he looked capable of doing. In the end, the title was ours after beating Beckenham in the penultimate game, and history was made.
Beau also led us to a T20 final for the first time ever after wins against Bickley Park and Folkestone but fate would leave him and half of the 1st team sidelined at a wedding for the final against league runners up Minster. Beau and the others watched the stream as a largely young and inexperienced team turned over the favourites, and the Double had been achieved.
After the euphoria of 2022, the next year was always going to be tougher, and so it proved. A stuttering start had us in and around the relegation zone all season. In an incredibly tight league, 6 teams were at risk of relegation at the end. Hayes needed a win away to Minster, and in a low scoring game on a decidedly green and dodgy looking wicket, Hayes would creep over the line with Beau scoring 20 not out and hitting the runs that nailed the win and kept us up (and finishing 5th).
The year would also see us play in the National T20 at Hove, where Beau’s 41 off 36 balls couldn’t quite get us home against Havant, as well as a respectable run into the quarter-finals of the National 40 over cup, having beaten Wimbledon on the way.
Despite our league form, Hayes qualified for the T20 finals day again, and victory in the semi-final over Blackheath gave Beau his shot in a T20 final. In a thrilling match, Hayes came back to snatch victory over Tunbridge Wells, and the cup was ours again.
Beau’s six years in charge have seen unprecedented success, and we need to applaud him for his service and dedication. Moreover, he is a product of the Hayes Academy, and is proof of the calibre of player we can produce at this club.
Thanks Beau!
