Firsts concede massive score

THE Maccabi AJAX First XI faces an uphill battle to secure victory in its two-day away match against Heatherton, after conceding a whopping 278 runs in the field on the weekend, while only managing to pick up seven wickets.

In warm and blustery conditions, Heatherton chose to bat first, but lost an early wicket thanks to a mercurial catch by debutant wicket-keeper Matthew Gamsu off the bowling of opener Allan Goldstein.

Goldstein turned out to be the pick of the bowlers, with his three scalps for the day, but these came at a cost of 97 runs from 25 overs.

The Heatherton middle order took full control of the innings, with skipper David Majtlis unable to repeat last week’s heroics.
As Majtlis continued to rotate his bowlers, the free scoring Heatherton side continued to plunder runs all over the ground.

Part-timers Simon Fisher and Dean Wiener took a wicket each in their short spells with the ball, but it wasn’t enough as Heatherton amassed a solid 7-278.

The Seconds have already conceded first-innings points to Heatherton, after their paltry total of 71 was easily passed by their opposition, who finished the day on 3-132.

The Third XI was punished in its away game against Burnley at the famous Straw Field, smashed all over the park as its opposition piled on a mammoth 303 runs.

Laurie Shneider was his usual crafty self, the veteran all-rounder bamboozling his way to two crucial wickets, but is was Glen Eira Mayor Jamie Hyams who was the pick of the bowlers with the remarkable figures of 6-30. Leon Jacobs provided the entertainment with the gloves, affecting three stumpings, but it was for naught as Burnley piled on the runs.

The Thirds were then unable to negotiate the remaining 11 overs of the day, losing both openers to be 2-20 at stumps and in serious strife.

The Silver Arc Fourth XI was comprehensively beaten by ladder leader Monash Uni to the tune of 86 runs, but youngster Josh Jones showed he will be a future star with bowling figures of 4-19.

Batting first, Monash Uni amassed an impressive 9-213 from its allotted 45 overs, with Jones the key destroyer, backed up by Yossi Herbst who took 2-47.

In reply, Maccabi AJAX could only muster 127 runs with solid contributions from Eli Lipshatz (34), David Smith (21) and Yossi Herbst (18).

The Firsts will have to produce something special as they set to chase down a big total against Heatherton at 1pm next Saturday. Heatherton Recreation Reserve
(Melway: 87 K2).

NATHAN ROTHSCHILD