I have just returned from 10 wonderful days in Tel Aviv where I spent some quality time with the family. It turned out to be a mini JFS reunion as I rolled back the years with some old schoolfriends attending Joshua Sinai’s wedding. Darryl Ricklow, Steven Gordon, Paul Alexander, Nathan Gentely plus former London Maccabi Lions player Jonny Binke were on top form and could not get enough of the sun.
It was the first time my wife and kids have been to the White City and it took my missus a little while to work out that not every man there was called Ken.
I could really get used to the Israeli lifestyle where you will do well not to find someone jogging, cycling or playing beach volleyball. Fitness is a major part of life there and, with an unfriendly reception from the London weather upon our return, we did not want to come home in a hurry.
July looks set to be fairly quiet sports-wise but Tuesday could be D-day for some of the Jewish cricket fraternity as part two of the Team Great Britain cricket trials will be held at Lord’s. Weather permitting, I hope to make my first outing of the campaign two days earlier but, not wanting to get my excuses in early, I may be a little rusty. Edmonton will be my first opponents for new club London Maccabi Vale at Rowley Lane. I have not picked up a bat since last September and could struggle to recognise one end of the bat from the other.
The Manchester Jewish League’s Twenty20 will be settled with South Manchester Maccabi taking on Sedgley in a winner-takes-all encounter.
London Maccabi Vale colts manager Jeffrey Permutt was proud of his Under 11 team which he believes was the “first time a Jewish club has put out a team so young”.
They tied with Middlesex Colts League Division One table-toppers Botany Bay in a match in which both teams scored 82. “It was a great match, played the way cricket should be,” Permutt said. “Around 40 parents and grandparents attended and generated a fantastic atmosphere.”
Hats off also to BECC chairman Neil Myeroff, the brains behind the Jewish Schools Cricket Trophy.
North West Neasden A have pulled off the first major coup of the summer by signing Lee Bibring from rivals London Maccabi Lions. Double winning manager Jamie Cole, who was named JC MSFL top boss last month, has promoted former assistant Daniel Fox to work alongside him in a joint managerial capacity. Speaking of the addition of Bibring, Cole said: “He scored five goals against us two seasons ago so we know he’s a top goal-poacher.” And on Fox, he said: “He is a top coach with a record of success at club and Maccabiah level. He gets the best out of our talented squad of players and his ambitions and expectations match mine. He was the outstanding choice.”
Premier Division new boys Montana Boca United A have appointed the much-travelled Elan Ovits as joint-manager to Marc Ziedman. The former Hillgar, Faithfold and Hendon defender is sure to add a wealth of experience for the team’s first crack on the big stage.
Ovits said: “Having gained promotion to the MSFL Premiership last season, it is an honour to be part of this ambitious club and help them compete with some of the best Jewish clubs in the country. We are now looking to build on last year’s success and attract quality and talented players from either secondary school, college, university or the MSFL who should be competing at a higher standard.”
New UJIA player-manager Olly Olsen has prioritised signing a new goalkeeper after taking over the reins from Robin Lester.
Glenn Davis and Ben Richman have taken over from Matthew Bennett as managers of Chigwell Athletic C.
Bennett has parted company with the club, and chairman Richard Slater said: “Everyone involved with Chigwell thank Matt for his efforts last season, but we are now taking this team in a new direction and building a squad which will be pushing for Division Two next season.”
London Maccabi Lions and Vale’s Ami Wynbourne has pencilled in a return to action in early 2009 following surgery on an ankle.
Personal trainer Darryl Green is hanging his head after being the only player at Maccabi League new boys Woodford Wanderers to throw up during pre-season training.
The fitness freak was meant to be leading by example but it appears that a few too many bevvies down Faces had finally caught up with him.
Email dannycaro@thejc.com
To get more from Life, click here to sign up for our free Life newsletter.