THAMES VALLEY CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION 3A
Hayes 231 all out
Henley thirds 133 all out
Hayes won by 98 runs
IMPRESSIVE Hayes continued their Division 3A title push with victory over Henley thirds.
Hayes have put together a fine run of form in recent weeks and kept in the hunt for the trophy with a 98-run triumph on Saturday.
The result gave Hayes their fifth maximum points haul of a blossoming campaign and leaves them just 21 points behind leaders Stoke Green.
John Parker was the standout performer at the crease and racked up an impressive 83 with the bat to put Hayes on the front foot.
He was ably supported by Miles Pidgeon, who finished just shy of his half-century on 47, to push Hayes to 231 at Nettlebed.
This total was despite the outstanding efforts of Henley bowler Prakesh Gurung, whose return of 5-27 included an outstanding hat trick.
Not to be outdone, Hayes captain Michael Green captured six wickets for 38 runs to lead his side home and dismiss Henley for a lacklustre 133.
Claudius Wayland (1-26) and Parker (3-12) were the other wicket takers in an impressive Hayes bowling line-up.
Hayes host struggling Royal Ascot, who currently lie second-from-bottom, this weekend as they look to close the gap on Stoke Green further.
Elsewhere, Old Merchant Taylors’ remain in mid-table in Division 3B following a disappointing defeat to Newbury.
Taylors’ could only post a measly 100 with the bat and Newbury made short work of chasing down the total, surpassing it with just four down.
Luc Baldwin hit a fine half-century as Harefield settled for a draw at Gerrards Cross in Home Counties Premier League Division Two.
And Raj Kotecha starred with bowling figures of 6-27 as Northwood Town beat Watton-at-Stone in Hertfordshire Cricket League Division Four.
