Maccabi-AJAX win top-of-table clash in round nine

In a much-anticipated Mercantile Cricket Association (MCA) Sunday A Grade top-of-the-table clash at Gary Smorgon Oval last Sunday, the Maccabi-AJAX First XI executed perfectly in the field and with the bat to record an important Round 9 win over arch-rivals Melbourne Cobras.

Mark Soffer was the pick of their bowlers, taking 3/21, while Josh Jones took 2/13, to help dismiss the Cobras for just 116.

In the chase, the early loss of Maccabi’s opening batsmen brought veteran Dave Majtlis and skipper Zak Fleischer Sharbanee to the crease, who finished not out on 27 and 68 respectively, to safely navigate Maccabi to 2/118 in the 42nd over, to seal an 8-wicket win.

In more good news for the team, Benji Jones, Soffer, and Fleischer Sharbanee were selected to represent the MCA Sunday rep team in a one-day competition on Australia Day, with Fleischer Sharbanee selected as captain.

Maccabi-AJAX’s Josh Rotstein was picked in MCA’s U21 side.

In Sunday B grade action last Sunday, Maccabi-AJAX had a narrow loss to North Balwyn.

Eli Barr was the best with the ball, taking 2/28, but North Balwyn still made 7/192 in their 45 overs.

In reply, Maccabi-AJAX fell short with 8/166 in their allotted overs, despite handy knocks by Charlie Gross (43) and Brett Jacobs (35).

In C South grade, Barry Kave, aged 72, took 2/12 – breaking the club’s all-time wicket-taking record of 865 held by Ernie Adler – but that incredible accomplishment couldn’t prevent a tight loss to Carnegie.

And Maccabi-AJAX’s development team were beaten by Youlden-Parkville, but positives included all-rounder Brian Goldberg taking 2/13 and scoring 26 runs, and Daniel Onas making 26 runs.