Division 4a: Hayes 270-6 (14pts) Drew With British Airways 230-8 (8pts)

A SERIES of solid contributions with the bat helped Hayes claim a winning draw with neighbours British Airways but only after they survived a whirlwind century from the home captain.

Improving Hayes started the day three places below their hosts and after being asked to bat captain Simon Green and Ram Ramnath wasted no time in setting about a lightweight BA attack, putting 56 on the board before Ramnath fell for 20 and Green went two runs later for 37.

Micky Green and the recalled Keith Wallis kept the tempo going until Green departed for 67, leaving Hayes on 148 for three and Chris Frost then joined in the fun as the pair maintained the momentum. Wallis followed his second team century of last week with 57 before snicking one behind but Frost (52 not out) remained defiant and with help from the middle order pushed the total to 270 for six from their 52 overs.

The BA response was somewhat strange because when Kathait started with some lovely attacking shots early on, a good run chase was anticipated. But once he lost fellow opener Sheikh (12) and Sharma (1), from 35 for two he retreated into his shell and with Khan also content to pat the ball back, BA gave up the chase despite having eight wickets and plenty of overs remaining.

Sensing their prey were playing dead, the Hayes bowling buzzards began to circle and Sean Morgan bowled Kathait for 39 and when Micky Green and Cladius Wayland chipped in with a wicket apiece, the hosts were in trouble at 72 for five.

Yet out of nowhere, clearly upset by the lack of ambition shown by his top order, BA captain Syed went on a solo mission. He struck the ball with immense power and superb timing and with basic support from Khan they raced to 149 before Khan (23) charged down the wicket once too often and was stumped.

Syed continued to strike but with two wickets falling at the other end the relentless seven an over required proved too much even for him as BA closed on 230 for eight, with the skipper finishing unbeaten on 106 which included 11 fours and five sixes. Micky Green was the best of the Hayes bowlers with five for 90. * The second XI was well beaten at home to Royal Ascot after a poor display with both bat and ball.

The bowling demons remained as the visitors declared on 217 for nine, which included 21 wides among 35 extras, while Amin Muyassur (3-34) was the pick of the attack. Only Jas Singh (22) and Shahid Ahmed (37) really got going in the reply and with the last five wickets falling for just 25 Hayes were bowled out for 150 to go down by 67 runs. * The Academy side came within a gnats whisker of their first win of the season at home to Hillingdon Manor on Sunday after restricting Hillingdon to 208 all out in a 40-over contest, Sean Morgan picking up three for 36.

With a number of first team batsmen included to aid the youngsters, victory was on the cards as Morgan (42), Frost (43) and colts coach Andre Jason (40) got Hayes to within six of victory before the last wicket fell.