Good vibes for the Hayes 3rd XI as Bromley Common put to the Wilkie-son’s sword
by Sam Millard
The sun was out, the pitch cut and the outfield looked amazing. Local (friendly) rivals Bromley Common were the visitors as they made the short trek down Barnet Wood Road to take on the 3s in the season opener in the KCL Division 9. Captain Colin Couldrey looked resplendent in his Hayes CC club blazer when he won the toss and elected to bat on a pitch, outfield and weather that looked more like it belonged in June.
With Phil Burnstead standing as Umpire and a new digital scoreboard in place, all was set for what proved to be a great game, with the youngsters coming to the fore.
Sun beating down Ex-Common player, Matt Warne and Hayes legend Adam Greenway walked to the crease looking to build upon their impressive numbers from last season. Having seen out a maiden over first up, the runs started to flow and Hayes found themselves 32-0 off 5. In the 6th over Archie Moore struck for the Common the first of 4 wickets in a performance that on a different day could have seen him walk away as PoTM. Returning Jamie Askew joined Greenway at the crease and looked solid before skying a top edge which was held by Moore.
Greenway and the captain looked to steady the ship and tick over the score, but Moore took two in an over to see Hayes in a spot of bother at 60-4. Things went from bad to worse when the skipper fell and at 60-5 it looked like the wonderful deck and outfield that had been prepared by groundsman Jon Clapshoe was going to go to waste. Ronnie Buddin was bowled by one of the balls of the innings by Moore who was unlucky not to pick up a 5fer in his spell and Clooney, Alex not George, saw off Luca Baker. The dismissal of Baker brought to the crease Johnny Wilkie who had been strategically hidden down the order by captain Couldrey for just this occasion.
Wilkie looked fluid when he came to the crease and was supported by a scrappy knock from Hayes’ wicket keeper, Sam Millard, who rode his lucky early innings. Both rotated the strike and Wilkie in particular, punished the bad balls when he got them.
Their partnership went passed drinks and looked to be slowly turning the game Hayes’ way. Having put on 60 between them, Millard holed out in the deep with the score at 129 the bowlers felt they might have something to bowl at and if Wilkie could shepherd the tail well Hayes might scrape 150-160 and be in the game.
Jayson Thompson came and went at 135-9 the Common were looking forward to tucking in to a succulent tea, many thanks to Nigel and Julie whose spread was exceptional as always.
However, ‘Naughty’ Tom Davis and Wilkie had other ideas. NT rolled back the years to his days as 4th XI opener and Wilkie plundered boundaries as he passed 50 and then with a raucous home crowd including many of the 1st XI took his total passed 3 figures, finishing on 103*. Davis chipped in with 16*, seeing their partnership reach 99* and having been 69-7 Hayes finished with what felt like a slightly above par 234 but with plenty for the bowlers to do.
The Common’s innings got off to a good start, Moore opening the batting with Rory Thomas. Hayes bowlers got off to a steady start, Luca Baker troubling both edges. Thompson struggled to find his length and NT came into the attack and settled in at the Petts Wood FC end for his standard 9 on the bounce.
Luca Baker got his just reward when he struck Thomas in front and the Common were 35-1. The BCCC Wicket Keeper Stuart Wiehain joined Moore at the crease and put together a solid partnership filled with good cricket shots and mental application.
NT however got his just rewards when Moore chipped one to Matt Warne for 44. Sport is a harsh mistress at times and Moore’s performance did not deserve to see him on the losing side.
NT struck again the over before drinks with a deliver that spat off the pitch lifting and before taking the glove and being snaffled by The Bot behind the stumps.
Wilkie who could do no wrong today also got a caught behind, this being a simpler chance.
In between all this Vaibhav ‘Vibes’ Vaidyanath had been offer the choice of ends by the captain and had requested PWFC end, he was told he’d a have a long wait by the skipper and eager to make his mark on the game he accepted the chance to bowl at the Barnet Wood Road end. This spell was tidy, and he picked up a scalp, however when given the end he requested he morphed into a different bowler.
Vaibhav bowled a tight line and length and created chances beating both edges and looking threatening every ball. He induced the edge twice one caught by the captain at 1st slip on the second go and one caught behind. He also trapped the BCCC skipper in front lbw. Ever the showman he waited till the last ball of his spell to snaffled a 5-wicket haul, his first for Hayes. Which left the Common 122-9.
Ronnie Buddin bowled a miserly 8 balls going for 0 runs before securing the last BCCC wicket seeing them 122 all out.
As there was no ‘presso’ in the clubhouse I’m having to go out on a limb for the PotM. 5fer on league debut is an impressive feat but 103*, 1 wicket and two 50+ partnerships batting at 9 edges it out so Johnny Wilkie takes the honour. The 3s travel to London Knights next week looking to maintain their winnings way.
Notable performances:
BCCC:
H(K)CC:
The full scorecard can be viewed by clicking the link below:
