Kent Cricket League Round-Up: Minster & Hayes promoted
Wednesday 15th September 2021
Minster (Sheppey) and Hayes Cricket Club both achieved promotion to the Kent League Premier Division, with victories on the last day of the season.
Minster still have a game to play against Bromley Common, which was previously cancelled because of COVID-issues, but will have no relevance to them finishing as Champions. It is Minster’s third successive promotion (excluding 2020 when there was no matches played).
The Island club were five wicket winners at home to St Lawrence and Highland Court, with all-rounder Chris Piesley excelling with the bat and the ball. He took 3 for 11, as the visitors were all out for 194, Harry Mawson 3 for 23, and he then scored 51, as Minster knocked off the winning runs 195 for 5 in 21.2overs. Piesley has taken 31 wickets during the season for his side, who have also included the former Hampshire all-rounder Sean Ervine in their team.
Hayes won away at Canterbury to finish runners-up, with their star of the season being the former Kent Second XI all-rounder Will MacVicar, who scored 721 runs for them and took 41 wickets. Canterbury were bowled out for 159, MacVicar, taking 5 for 28, and he then scored 64, as Hayes won by five wickets, 162 for 5, and Kent’s Alex Blake scored 38.
There were two remaining matches in the Premier Division, Sandwich finishing, in second place, 11 points behind champions, Bexley, after an eight wicket win at home to relegated Bromley, whilst Sevenoaks Vine, won by three wickets, away at Bickley Park.
Bromley were 203 for 9 from their 50 overs, Lewis Hickford 63. Zak Fagg then scored a quickfire century, 100, and Tom Burnap hit 61 for Sandwich, as they coasted to victory, 207 for 2.
Bickley Park were all out for 193, Karl Pearson 3 for 42, against The Vine, and Michael Cowdrey then scored 76, as the visitors reached their winning total, 194 for 7. Kent Second XI player Elliott Hooper took 3 for 40 for the home side in their defeat.
With the League season now completed, but for the one remaining match, the last game of the season is the final of the T20 competition, between Sandwich Town and Bexley at Polo Farm, on Sunday September 19 at 14:00.
By Peter Burrowes
