London Maccabi Vale (LMV) Cricket Club made history on Sunday when their 1st team were crowned Division One champions of the Chess Valley League for the first time.
Hosting second-placed Chingford at Potters Bar CC, LMV captain Ben Lederman won the toss and had no hesitation in opting to bat. His decision was vindicated with openers Jonny Lubin and Adam Spooner hitting the Chingford bowlers to all parts. Lubin departed for a well-made 54 off 45 balls. This brought Ben Musikant to the crease and he upped the rate further, bludgeoning his way to a brilliant 82 off 49 balls. All the while, Adam Spooner was accumulating runs with ease, reaching a chanceless 100 and going onto score 144 of just 109 balls with eight sixes and 13 fours.
Further contributions from Matt Ginsberg (36 not out) and Harry Brand (17) meant that Vale reached an imposing 377 off their allocated 45 overs.
In response, Chingford were soon in dire straits with Conrad Hilton taking two early wickets in a fiery opening spell. Lederman then got into his work, continuing the brilliant form he has shown this season with the ball. He finished with 2-19 off 9 overs, with scalps including the Chingford skipper who top scored with 54.
Thereafter, wickets continued to tumble and 17-year-old Lior Heyman took centre stage with an outstanding nine-over spell reaping him figures of 5-31, leaving Chingford 180 all out in the 37th over, ensuring a mammoth 199-run win.
As the Vale team reached the boundary’s edge, word came through that the only other team capable of catchingn them, Watford Town, had been beaten, leading to wild celebrations in the Vale dressing room.
Co-chairmen Alex Haffner and Adam Brand said: “This was a great day for London Maccabi Vale Cricket Club, and a fitting way to celebrate our 70th year as a club. The title win is a testament to all the hard work that has been put into the club by the committee and others.
“It was particularly pleasing that various individuals stepped up to the plate during the season and that the winning squad includes several youngsters from our ‘development squad’, who are vital to the long-term health of the club and are part of our thriving junior section led by Anthony Wise.”
President Terry Hyman added: “This is the club’s proudest achievement during my 57 years as a club member. We continue to grow year on year.”
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