Defiant Moone stars as Hayes stay in hunt
THAMES VALLEY CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION 3B Bagshot 149 all out Hayes 108-9 Match drawn
HAYES stretched their unbeaten run to seven games to claim a share of the spoils with Bagshot at the weekend.
Only three points and one place separate these two sides in the Thames Valley Cricket League Division 3B table and there was nothing to choose between them here.
Both have their sights set on the title and leaders Amersham seconds are easily within reach as the second and third-placed teams look to reel in the table-toppers.
Hayes had Billy Moone to thank for his stalemate as he starred with the ball and then played a crucial role in seeing out the final overs at the crease to guide his side home.
He opened the bowling and showed control and variation beyond his teenage years to take a career best 6-52 from 18 straight overs.
His second wicket of the afternoon saw him clean bowl the Bagshot No. 2 batsman with a scorcher that England hero Jimmy Anderson would have been proud of.
Harman Momi was also looking sharp with the ball and finished with figures of 3-26 as he swept up the tail to dismiss the visitors for 149.
Hayes could not have made a worse start in reply as opener Josh Painter fell to the first Bagshot delivery of the innings.
It was a disappointing showing from the hosts with the bat and only the reliable Pyara Sidhu (40) and Gagan Sharma (27) could reach double figures.
They were staring at the face of defeat with final pair Ramneek Madial and star bowler Moone needing to bat out the final seven overs to secure the draw.
But it was to be Moone’s day as he added two runs to the total, which reached 108, and crucially remained at the crease to keep Hayes right on Bagshot’s heels in the race.
Elsewhere in Division 3B, Old Merchant Taylor’s gave their survival hopes a real shot in the arm with a vital two-wicket triumph over bottom side Kew seconds.
It was only a defiant 41 not out from Robert Tindall in the lower order that meant Kew secured a few batting bonus points before the side were dismissed for 148.
The mood in the OMT camp was buoyant about pulling off the win and with Sohan Modi (51) in fantastic form at the top of the order hopes of an easy chase prevailed early on.
Barney Close batted with genuine calmness and his unbeaten 36, alongside Deven Patel, steered OMTs home to a famous victory.
Taylors’ seconds came within one wicket of beating league leaders Eastcote after a tense battle at the War Memorial Ground.
Simon Boardley (81) and Chris Nockels (6-59) starred with the bat and ball for OMTs.