Hayes Women in Pre-Season Action

A weekend of wonderful weather and mixed results at the club was brought to a close by the women’s 1st XI playing Sevenoaks Vine.

The friendly game came with increased spice as the The Vine will be babysitting our place in the Premier League for the season making it one we wanted to win.

Sevenoaks won the toss and put us in to bat. Zoe and Chelsea strode out in front of the live crowd, bolstered for the first time by a global streaming audience which reached 10 at its peak through the first innings.

Zoe fell early bringing Beth to the crease and there started a feast of batting as Chelsea (43), Beth (62) and Aanya (56) tore into the Sevenoaks attack tacking us from 8-1 to 201-4 with a total of 24 boundaries. Chelsea reminded us all of what we’d missed last season, Beth provided the stability entrenching herself at the crease for 27 of the 30 overs and Aanya showed great character batting freely through the pain of a ball in the mouth during the warm up (struck by her father! – ooooops!) – Eve and Jess faced a couple of balls each at the end of the innings getting us up to 206-4 off our 30 overs.

At change of innings it felt like we were just ahead in the game, but would need to bowl well and take some early wickets to take the sting out of the Sevenoaks top order.

They were quick out of the traps plundering 24 from the first 2 overs before Issy and Zoe got on top of the batting tying them down with 10 dot balls from 14. In an attempt to break the shackles, Sevenoaks pushed for a run that wasn’t there, Jess picked up on the boundary and threw in over the stumps and Eve did the rest. A vital wicket breaking what was shaping up to be a dangerous opening partnership.

Sevenoaks continued to bat at around the required rate despite losing further wickets to Issy, Jess and Chelsea building to 102-4 by drinks. The game was very much in the balance with Sevenoaks looking on top if we couldn’t make further inroads. Their remaining opener was looking particularly dangerous and didn’t seem willing to give her wicket lightly.

Pivotal bowling changes brought Esha and Megan into the attack, Megan picking up a wicket with a fast, straight delivery that was destined for middle of middle before crashing into the batters pads leaving the umpire with no option. Then the big one, a nice delivery from Esha was skied and Beth held her nerve to finish the job. A lovely innings brought to a close on 70 and the game was well and truly in our hands.

A second run out and 2 further wickets for Esha accounted for 7, 8 and 9 and after a pause while Sevenoaks decided whether their last player was able to bat, the ball was thrown to Etika on debut and Emily who closed the innings in style.

A fantastic performance all round, both batting and bowling with captain Zoe rightly saying after the match that last year we wouldn’t have shown the courage we did today and would have rolled over and let them have it………. Great progress and hopefully one of many strong performances in the weeks to come.

I have to end with a word for the Sevenoaks coach, ex England star and great friend of Hayes CC, Sussie Wilson-Rowe. Despite being in the middle of cancer treatment, it was wonderful to see Sussie at the club with her wife Jen and their baby Zak. Her energy and love for the game shone through. It reminds us all how wonderful our sport is, but also how there are things in life which are so much more important. I’m sure I speak for everyone at the club in sending our love and best wishes.