Maccabiah Games – Day 6
Open cricket: Israel 140, GB 141-4. GB won by 6 wickets

Team GB claimed their first success of the Maccabiah after easing past Israel by six wickets at Hadar Yosef.

The victory means that if they can beat India in the final round robin match on Sunday, a place in the gold medal match beckons.

Another excellent bowling display from captain Darren Gerard saw Israel dismissed for 140. He finished with 3-20 from nine overs.

There were also wickets for Andy Daniels (10-2-22-1), Mark Bott (10-2-31-2), Saul Weitzman (9.2-1-35-2) and Neil Lederman (8-0-22-2) against an Israel side featuring former Belmont & Edgware all-rounder Herschel Gutman.

And despite losing Rob Yule and Dave Romain cheaply, GB cruised to victory. Lawrence Bensusan hit 45 in 153 minutes. He put on more than 80 for the third wicket with Adam Brand who scored 56.

Gerard (10) and Bott (15) saw GB home.

Manager Nigel Rothband said: “It was a very professional job. We bowled very well and have now bowled out our opponents in all three games. The batting came off. We knew we had it in us.

“Israel beat us four years ago so it was good to get the result.”

GB results so far:

Game 1 – lost to South Africa

Game 2 – lost to Australia

Game 3 – beat Israel

Game 4 – vs India in Lod

GB juniors claimed one of the results of the day after beating hot favourites South Africa by 50 runs at Hadar Yosef.

Daniel Cohen claimed three wickets, making it 11 in tournament. Olly Layton 4-10. Scott Gerard 37, Joseph Greenwall Cohen 43.

Joint-team manager Neil Myeroff said: “It was a fantastic win, unbelievable. We thought we were dead and buried after two defeats but this is one of the biggest thrills of my life.

“We showed phenomenal character and trained hard on tennis and basketball courts, drilling the boys on batting and catching.

“It all came right today and now anything can happen.”

GB are now in contention for a place in the gold medal. Having beaten Israel earlier, GB now has six points as do South Africa. Israel are on three.

Rothband said: “It’s been a good day for GB cricket.”