Darts beat Hayes to go top

Darts beat Hayes to go top
Hayes CC 1st XI vs Dartford CC 1st XI
Result – Dartford win batting first by 19 runs
Links – scorecard and league table

The Darts moved to joint top of the league with another maximum 20 points in an excellent closely fought game away to Hayes. The Darts won the toss and elected to bat first with the aim of building a sizeable total in the hot weather. Darts opener Jay Dassrath (48) top scored with a patient innings with support from Mark Lewis-Ranwell (35), Adam Clarke (29) and Garry Cook (23) helping the Darts post a total of 187-8 in their 50 overs.

After tea Hayes lost early wickets and were reduced to 39-3 with Sam Jewiss (3-51) and Adam Clarke (3-44) doing the early damage. The home side then started to build partnerships and at 153-6 were on course to reach the target, but Darts skipper Cook made the breakthrough with a sensational one handed catch high above his head, and Ian Rossiter (3-38) demonstrated why he is regarded locally as the King by wrapping up the last three wickets to secure victory by 19 runs and send the Darts to the top of the table. Next week sees Broadstairs who are joint top of the league alongside the Darts visit Hesketh Park in an important mid-season game.

2s complete win by 129 runs to stay top of the league
Dartford CC 2nd XI vs Gore Court CC 2nd XI
Result – Dartford win batting first by 129 runs
Links – scorecard and league table

The 2nd XI remain top of the league after a comprehensive 129 run victory batting first at Hesketh Park. After Webby won the toss on one of the hottest day’s of the year so far the Darts batted first and compiled a massive 281-5 off 50 overs with Shaun Parker 123 not out off just 97 balls, dispatching it to all corners of Royal Hesketh. Adam Ferris with 40 and Gregg Dassrath 36 were the other main contributors.

After tea the Darts knew just 9 wickets would suffice as Gore Court only had 10 men and John Cullingham (2-25) made important early breakthroughs. Wickets fell regularly with Lee Crane (2-35) and Kevin Webb (1-19) spinning out a few batsmen in the middle overs. Craig Partridge (1-32) returned at the death to pick up a crucial wicket, and it was left to Lee Gray (3-18) to secure all 20 points with just 2 balls remaining of the match clean bowling the last batsman to send the Darts and the crowd into celebrations knowing all 20 points were in the bag.