Maccabi squanders fast start
THE Maccabi AJAX First XI squandered a brilliant start to its match against Sacred Heart and is now in a precarious position heading into day two, with 20 runs still to get and only one wicket remaining.
THE Maccabi AJAX First XI squandered a brilliant start to its match against Sacred Heart and is now in a precarious position heading into day two, with 20 runs still to get and only one wicket remaining.
Opening bowlers David Fayman and JJ Zimmet did a great job of keeping the batsmen tied down, with Fayman (2-31) snaring an early breakthrough.
David Majtlis (3-53) then ripped through the top order to have the visitors four down by the drinks break.
But Sacred Heart rallied with a 59-run, fifth-wicket partnership, before Simon Morawetz (4-13) broke through, followed by a swift runout by Adam Trytell. Maccabi’s opposition finished its innings on 114.
After openers Brett Wiener and Darren Bloch went cheaply, Majtlis proved handy with the bat, adding 24 runs.
But the side found itself in trouble at 8-65, before Fayman smashed a quick 27 runs. But when he holed out in the deep, Zimmet and Morawetz were left with 20 runs for victory as the game heads into the second day.
The Second XI is in sight of a vital win, sitting at 7-74 after bowling Monash University Gryphons out for 83.
Young speedster Adam Klein (3- 21) tore through the top order, with Matt Aubor (3-5) also proving too much for the batsmen.
Overall, it was a fantastic team effort, with all six bowlers getting among the wickets.
A shaky start saw the Seconds sit at 4-26, but experienced heads Aubor and Simeon Goldenberg partnered up to double the total, before both were sent packing.
Late in the day Paul Litinsky and skipper Leon Jacobs came together and saw out the remaining overs, as the side requires just 10 more runs for victory with three wickets in hand.
The Third XI has its work cut out next week after the Reds posted a mammoth 6-303.
Maccabi struck early to have the home side at 1-14, but the second wicket came at the cost of 171 runs, and then the Reds left the Thirds with a huge 304-run target heading into day two.
The Silver Arc Fourth XI has recorded its second win in a row, chasing down Parkville District’s 103 to launch itself into the top four.
Daniel Wein and Jeremy Herz took to the opposition batsmen straight away, combining to have them at 3-36.
Skipper Ian Jones (5-15) then dis- mantled the middle order, before son Josh (2-15) pitched in with two finals wickets.
In response, the Fourths were cruising at 2-79, with Ze’ev Aron (40) and Dovi Paltiel (26) continuing their good form.
However, Aron’s dismissal sparked a string of wickets, before the final Maccabi batsmen got the side over the line with one wicket in hand.
The Firsts continue their next match against Sacred Heart at 1pm on Saturday at Gary Smorgon Oval (Melway: 2N J1)
AJN Staff
Photo: Peter Haskin
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