A superb century from Maccabiah-bound Richard Black steered London Maccabi Vale 2nd to their first victory of the Middlesex Sunday League Division Three in a 114-run win over West Middlesex.
LMV were close to calling the fixture off after poor availability left them with only seven available players. Black received a late call-up after his cup match for Stanmore was rained off.
After winning the toss, LMV skipper Jonathan Lederman elected to bat first. With the ball stopping, flying or keeping low, openers Joseph and Harris struggled and Joseph soon departed, spooning one to square leg.
Black came to the crease and received a life when he was dropped off a mis-timed pull. From that point, he started to play quite fluently, whilst Jeremy Harris played every ball like it is an exploding mine. The pair put on 46 before Harris fell LBW, which he surprisingly moans about for the rest of the afternoon.
Aviel Schwarz and Black add a further 15 together until Schwarz shouldered arms to a ball that hits middle stump.
Captain Lederman soon followed, playing a dreadful shot to mid-off. 81-4, Benjamin Lederman comes in and bats sensibly, adding 29 with Black, who is now passed 50. Benjamin and Jonathan Freedman departed in quick succession leaving Mark Spanjar to keep Black company.
Black started to cut loose, hitting the ball to all parts to bring up his 100 in superb style. A stand of 61 with Mark in no time at all and a few at the end of the innings with Dan Freedman leaves LMV 2nd with a score of 187, of which Black contributed 126 before being last man out.
After team LMV take the field and Benjamin Lederman soon has the first wicket followed by one for Freedman.
The ball started seaming and despite a few lusty blows the run rate is increasing, and the wickets keep falling. Joseph Greenwall-Cohen bowled a very accurate spell five overs (3-7).
A run out, a wicket for Schwarz and two at the end for Lederman snr means that West Middlesex are bowled out for only 73 in only 22 overs, leaving LMV winners by 114 runs.
Cricket scoreboard
Middlesex Sunday League Division One
London Maccabi Vale 1st 108
Indian Tigers 109-5 Ryan Kangisser 5-22
LMV lost by 5 wickets
Division Three
London Maccabi Vale 2nd 187 Richard Black 126
West Middlesex 73 Joseph Greenwall-Cohen 3-7
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