Flailing Firsts falter as flawless Fourths fire
THE Maccabi AJAX First XI has suffered yet another narrow defeat, going down to Parkville District away by just 11 runs, while the Fourth XI put in a dazzling display in the club’s only win.
THE Maccabi AJAX First XI has suffered yet another narrow defeat, going down to Parkville District away by just 11 runs, while the Fourth XI put in a dazzling display in the club’s only win.
Former Ray Saffer Award winner Justin Kramersh made his welcome return to the club, but the all-rounder’s four wickets and 26 runs weren’t enough to get the Firsts over the line.
The visitors were sent into the field and were immediately on the back- foot, with the home side hitting several boundaries.
But a spectacular catch from JJ Zimmet sparked a string of wickets that turned the game in Maccabi’s favour, with Kramersh taking two wickets in the space of three balls, before brothers Brett and Dean Wiener combined for another.
After a further two wickets fell, the Firsts had their opposition stalled at 5-43. However, a stubborn partnership took Parkville to 7-149.
In reply, Maccabi found itself in trouble when five wickets fell for 59 runs, before Kramersh (26) and skipper Julien Wiener steadied the ship with a 34-run partnership.
Kramersh’s dismissal brought David Fayman to the crease. But a few lusty blows aside, it was all over, bar the shouting.
The Seconds struggled for runs against Parkville District, before a strong partnership between young gun Yoav Silverstein and veteran Matt Aubor helped lift the total to a disappointing 122.
The two were then the pick of the bowlers as Maccabi’s opposition passed its total with only three wickets down, leaving the side reeling at the bottom of the table.
The Third XI failed against Monash Uni Gryphons, getting thumped to the tune of 81 runs.
All 10 bowlers were used by skipper Brad Abrahams, but none could do damage, with Damien Sackville recording the best figures of 2-20 as the opposition amassed a whopping 8-270.
Maccabi put up a fight in reply, with Sackville hitting 41 and Adam Rapoport starring with 60, but the side still fell well short, finishing on 4-189.
The Silver Arc Fourth XI was the only side to taste success, bowling its opposition out twice in a crushing win over Thornbury Turf Strokers.
Maccabi put its opposition to the sword in the field, with Nadav Greenberger (5-26) and Daniel Wein (3-17) mercilessly bowling the Strokers out for 45.
Ze’ev Aron (41) then got the Fourths to a strong total of 5-154, before taking 4-13 as they rolled their opposition for 93 to secure an out-right win of an innings and 16 runs.
The Firsts play Sacred Heart at 1pm on Saturday at Gary Smorgon Oval (Melway: 2N J1).
Simon Morawetz
Photo: Peter Haskin
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