Allweis shows all-round qualities in win over Strokemakers XI

Vale handed several opportunities to the younger players in their squad - and, batting first, racked up an imposing total on a blisteringly hot day at Rowley Lane. Simeon Cohen, given a rare chance to open the batting, got the team off to a flying start, displaying his natural eye as he crashed the ball all round the park to breeze to 67 off just 42 deliveries.

Ably supported by Adam Spooner (28), the pair put on a stand of more than 90 before Cohen fell. A couple of cheap wickets followed before Allweis strolled to the crease.

As with Cohen, Allweis made the most of his promotion up the order. With shots all around the ground, including ramps and reverse sweeps alongside more traditional cover drives and pulls, he ran the visiting fielders ragged. He brought up his maiden LMV half-century with a four, and proceeded to put his foot down even further on the accelerator to finish unbeaten on 72 off 57 balls.

At the other end, Neil Lederman suffered the embarrassment of having to retire due to his trousers splitting - a move that allowed Joseph Greenwall-Cohen to gain valuable batting time at the crease. He oozed class and control, and added some late-innings impetus with 49 not out off 30 balls faced. Vale finished on a powerful 249-3 off their allotted 40 overs.

Strokemakers' were never likely to die wondering, and their openers blazed a series of early boundaries to get their side off to the perfect chase. With the score on 90-0 off eight overs, Allweis was brought into the attack and his day went got even better as he made the crucial breakthrough with only his second ball.

Another two wickets for the left-arm seamer in his next over firmly applied the brakes to Strokemakers' scoring - whilst Joseph Greenwall-Cohen (2-59) picked up a brace of successes as well.

Alex Fachler (2-32) supplied the threat in the middle of the innings, as did debutant Josh Brickman (1-24), before the more experienced duo of Allweis (4-31) and Lederman (1-3) rounded off the game to secure a 25-run win for Vale.

SCORECARD

LMVCC BATTING

Adam Spooner ct 28 (40 balls, 3x4)

Simeon Cohen ct 67 (42 balls, 12x4, 1x6)

Jonny Gould ct 11 (11 balls, 1x4)

Steven Allweis 72 not out (57 balls, 9x4, 1x6)

Neil Lederman retired 14 (22 balls, 2x4)

Joseph Greenwall-Cohen 49 not out (30 balls, 4x4, 1x6)

Jack Davis

Alex Fachler

Sam Wolfson

Josh Brickman