Maccabi-Ajax Colts win Machlin Shield
Four Maccabi-AJAX teams experienced playing in ISEC junior grand finals last Sunday morning – and one of them earned the title of premiers.
In an all-Maccabi-AJAX U13B boys’ grand final that produced an exciting finish in front of a large crowd, underdogs the Giants pushed the Colts all the way, but to their credit, the Colts held on for a 2-run win.
The Giants batted first and after a slow start, Zac Rostkier (20 not out), Sam Weinstein (10) and tailender Aidan Rawack (15 not out) helped them reach 6/73 after their 24 overs.
The Colts’ wickets were shared evenly by 6 bowlers, and keeper Joel Machet did a top job behind the stumps.
Losing 2 wickets for 5 runs to start their chase, the Colts steadied through fine batting by Jonah Brooks (24) and Dean Waters (16), only for Giants’ bowlers Aidan Rawack (2/2), Zac Balter (1/5) and Jesse Lurie (1/12) to hit back, while Zev Eretz made a run out, and keeper Zac Alter a stumping.
Ethan Weiss (11 not out) remained positive, and together with Callan Matthews (11 not out), steered their side to 6/75 and victory, with only 14 balls to spare.
Howard Machlin personally presented the Colts with the inaugural Howard Machlin Shield.
The club’s U17B boys’ team went into their grand final feeling confident of victory, as minor premiers, but their opponent, Ashwood, had other ideas.
After being sent in to bat, Maccabi-AJAX struggled, and despite a gallant effort by Jhett Haeata (24 runs off 20 balls) and Justin Gross (21 off 51), were all out for 67.
In reply, Bayside coasted to 2/69 to claim the Stephen Zayler Shield.
And the Maccabi-AJAX Jets played in the U13 Combined decider against Ashwood, who won the toss and elected to bat, setting a lofty total of 4/122.
Jets’ bowlers Rowan Traub, Benny Segal, Bailey Klinger and Noach Herbst took a wicket each.
In the chase, Samuel Reuben (39 runs) and Benny Segal (14) were the Jets’ best, but they could only reach 7/91 after their alloted 21 overs.
Club president Daniel Lowinger said, “Last Sunday was the culmination of a number of years of investment in the coaching of our junior players.
“Success breeds success, and we had a record number of players this season – so, onwards and upwards.”
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