Maccabi-AJAX win first A Grade title since 1983
Maccabi-AJAX First XI captain Zak Fleisher-Sharbanee described it as “the most amazing thing ever”, veteran spinner Mark Soffer said “it’s hard to believe it’s real”, and head coach Greg Hurvitz said “there was absolute elation when we got that final wicket”.
As the sun began to set at Gary Smorgon Oval last Sunday – exactly one week after the squad held on for a rare tie in their semi-final against the Indigos – the Jewish club’s First XI held aloft the Mercantile Cricket Association’s Sunday A Grade men’s premiership shield for the first time since 1983, and for the first time ever under the Maccabi-AJAX brand.
And they had to do it the hard way in the grand final, after a poor start with the bat against Carnegie.
At one stage, Maccabi-AJAX lost 6 wickets for 60. But a defiant 37-run partnership between Benji Gore (24) and Josh Jones (16), enabled them to set Carnegie a target that was at least above 100, but only by 10 more runs.
As Hurvitz told The AJN after the match, “Something was definitely different in the pitch, as we had seven players dismissed by being bowled, which hadn’t happened all season.
“But we’d successfully defended far less than 110 before, so we remembered that [during the innings break] and felt we definitely had the bowling attack to win.
“To our guys’ credit, we bowled exceptionally well, with discipline, and got better with each session.”
Maccabi-AJAX bowlers Bailey Melzak (4/18) and Josh Jones (3/19) took two early wickets each.
A ripper of a delivery by spinner Mark Soffer – described by Leon Jacobs as “the Jewish ball of the century” – a lightning quick stumping by keeper Jonathan Weinstock, and Rotstein removing danger man Vinay Tripathi for just 16, then left Carnegie reeling further at 6/68.
The result was still in some doubt with three overs remaining, with Carnegie needing 17 more runs, and Maccabi-AJAX requiring 3 wickets, but Jones and Melzak swiftly removed the tail, delivering pure premiership joy.
Fleisher-Sharbanee said, “All the reward and sacrifice [by our team] is worth it for this … and hopefully, this success can fuel others to want to achieve the same.”
Soffer, who has chased a premiership flag for the past 15 years as a senior player, said he “couldn’t be prouder of, not just this team, but the entire club, and the generations of leaders – on and off the field – who have worked tirelessly to make it possible”.
“No doubt there will be some turnover as some players retire, myself included, but it’s wonderful to see how much talent we have coming through.”
Josh Jones, named Man of the Match, said losing last year’s decider by just one wicket made this premiership win “that much more special”.
Hurvitz added, “Many past players came to the ground, and you could see how much the premiership win meant to everybody.
“The outpouring of emotion, from all different corners, has already been forthcoming.
“It’s certainly been a wholesome celebration!”
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