Firsts keep finals hopes alive
MACCABI Ajax First XI kept its slim finals hopes alive with a stirring four-wicket win over flag favourites Melbourne Cobras at the weekend.
MACCABI Ajax First XI kept its slim finals hopes alive with a stirring four-wicket win over flag favourites Melbourne Cobras at the weekend.
The Firsts piled on the pressure against the Cobras – who slumped to second on the ladder following the loss – and executed perfectly on the field, resulting in a string of early wickets that got the side off to a flyer.
Adam Klein (4-9) took wickets in the first three overs of each of his spells, giving Maccabi an explosive start as he combined with JJ Zimmet and Simon Morawetz to have the home side reeling at 7-41.
Josh Jones (1-18) took the eighth moments later to mark a successful debut, before the Cobras replied with a useful 35-run stand.
However, when spinner David Majtlis (2-14) entered the attack, the final wickets fell swiftly with Melbourne dismissed for 81.
In reply, the Firsts stuttered to 3-16, but Majtlis (23) and Mark Soffer (22) were able to steady the ship together to lift the score to 5-53.
Maccabi required 15 runs from the final 11 overs, which skipper Julien Wiener and Morawetz knocked off with ease to put the Firsts within reach of a finals berth with three games to go.
The Second XI suffered a defeat at the hands of Melbourne Uni after being sent in to bat in bowler-friendly conditions.
Maccabi found itself reeling at 6-30 and eventually crumbled to 64.
In reply, the Seconds put up a gallant fight, with Adam Paykel (3-14) and Matt Aubor (2-26) tearing through the top order.
Adam Kahlberg and Paul Litinsky also nabbed wickets, but they were not enough to see the side get over the line.
The Third XI recorded a great win over Melbourne City, after posting 7-198 from its 45 overs.
Sam Brygel (38) and Zac Aflalo (25) put on a brilliant 63-run opening stand, before Ben Fisher pitched in with a rapid-fire 29.
Melbourne City replied with a strong opening stand of its own, but when Farrell Plavin (3-22) and Phillip Voskoboynik (3-36) were introduced, they cleaned up the attack to have the visitors stunned at 6-87.
Laurie Shneider (2-33) then spun his way through the lower order to ensure a 26-run victory.
The Silver Arc Fourth XI consolidated its spot in the four with a critical win over Bentleigh.
The Fourths put in another great performances on the field to have their opponent out for 140, with Daniel Wein, Benjamin Jones, Ze’ev Aron and Dovi Paltiel all picking up two wickets each.
The side was in early trouble at 3-5, but Jones’s stunning 54 and Aron’s 38 got Maccabi back on track, as it went on to record an impressive three-wicket victory.
The Firsts play Power House in a one-dayer at 12.30pm on Saturday at Fawkner Park, Oval 5 (Melway: 2L C7). The official Twitter hashtag for the match will be #PHvMA.
AJN STAFF
comments