Lederman jnr sparkles again - The Jewish Chronicle

A man of the match display from Benjamin Lederman helped London Maccabi Vale 2nds earn a credible draw against Wembley at Vale Farm.

Playing in a timed match for the first time this season, LMV had the better of the result, but were unable to break through the determined defence of the experienced tail end of Wembley.

David Freedman and Lederman opened the batting for the third week in a row. Freedman was undone by an excellent in-swinger early on. Jeremy Harris came in and hit a couple of boundaries but was completely undone by another excellent swinging delivery.

Lederman, meanwhile, was playing himself in quietly despite the more than occasional swish outside off stump. He, together with Jonathan Cantor, took the score to 74 before the latter was also bowled for six, with the score on 74-3.

Avi Schwarz joined Lederman but they were almost becalmed as the bowling and fielding remained tight. Lederman finally reached his first 50 for the club but was yorked soon afterwards, for an excellent 54 (8x4).

This brought Dan Caplan to the wicket, who was soon joined by Jonathan Lederman as Schwarz departed without ever getting into his stride.

Caplan and Lederman snr were greeted with a change of bowling as the Wembley skipper brought himself on to bowl his slow leggies. Both batsman took the opportunity to increase the run rate with a series of clever strokes, including reverse swipes for four from both of them.

They added 84 runs in only nine overs with clever running as well as lusty blows, before Caplan was finally out for an excellent 47 (5x4). Lederman went on to score an unbeaten 54 (8x4) before the declaration came.

After an excellent tea, LMV bowled and fielded well early on but could not make a breakthrough as both Wembley batsman hit over the top, just clearing fielders on several occasions. This together with a couple of dropped catches meant Wembley were well up with the rate early on.

The introduction of Andy Landsberg, replacing Jonathan Freedman (0-44), provided a key breakthrough as one of the openers tried to hit over the top once too often and was well caught at wide mid off by Lederman snr.

Quick thinking by Andrew Greenwall Cohen led to a second wicket as he ran out the No. 3 batsman when he wandered out of his ground. However at the start of the last 20 overs, Wembley only needed five an over to win. LMV tightened up in the field though and with sweepers out on both sides of the field the runs slowed, as more wickets fell.

Schwarz replaced Landsberg (1-17) and Benjamin Lederman replaced Greenwall Cohen (1-36) as LMV sought a breakthrough following a period of stubborn resistance. Lederman jnr immediately broke through and followed up with another wicket very quickly.

Wembley by this time had given up all thoughts of victory and were trying to hold out for a draw. A third wicket for Lederman put Wembley eight wickets down and seemed to give LMV an opportunity, but despite having all nine fielders round the bat the Wembley batters held out for a draw.

LMV 2nd XI 195-7 drew with Wembley 2nd XI 139-8

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