Under 13's home match versus Holtwhites Trinibus
LMV won the toss and decided to bowl first. Akiva for the day shared the bowling around to ensure everyone got involved. Despite some accurate bowling from Joshua Frey, Noah Aziz & Simeon Cohen HT looked like running up a formidable total until Rafi Kennard came on and bowled a superb spell of 3 overs for only 3 runs, taking 3 wickets in the process. Unfortunately some wayward bowling during the innings meant we gave away too many wides and no balls, which resulted in HT managing to score 115 from their 20 overs.
LMV started our innings quite slowly and although we kept the scoreboard ticking we had only managed 41 runs from our first 10 overs. Yossi Goodlinke batted nicely, but it was only when Simeon came that the the innings got some real impetus his quick fire innings of 34, included 2 big 6's, before having to retire on 34.
LMV had managed to get to 78 with 5 overs to go, scoring 37 off the previous 5 overs, leaving us 38 to get off the last 5. The HT captain had by this time brought himself on to bowl, and his quick leg breaks were very difficult to get away and despite Akiva, Boaz and Elliot trying their hardest, he conceded only 10 runs in his 4 overs, which really settled the match, despite our best efforts. So we ended up 7 runs short on 109-5. Again the team showed great togetherness and worked really hard, but to be fair on the night HT probably were slightly the better side all round.
Under 15's home match versus Southgate Compton
Having won a close encounter with SC earlier in the season we knew that the key to winning this match was our battle against their captain who is an excellent all rounder. On a poor pitch we decided to bat first. Unfortunately our usual opening pair were not at the ground, Mark Spanjar was at home studying and Joseph Greenwall Cohen was stuck on the A1. The new pairing of Zack Henry & Benjamin Lederman started off well until a communication breakdown led to Zack being run out by 3/4 of the length of the pitch. Joseph had by now arrived, and looking to keep his record of scoring 50 in each match, intact. Another poor piece of running resulted in Benjamin lying spread-eagled on the floor in an attempt to get in, but failing. Even Joseph was having trouble timing the ball, but did manage to pick up the pace of the innings so that at the halfway stage we had reached 57-2, with Joseph and Max Sherrard seemingly in control. The SC captain brought himself on to bowl the last 4 overs from one end and mayhem ensued, his first 2 overs went for 12, but in his next 2 overs he managed to take 6 wickets, including a hat trick, and a 4th in the same over. Joseph had by this time retired out having scored 53 with his usual aplomb. 4 ducks and 4 other batsman not making more than 3, meant that having looked like scoring 130+ at the half way stage we ended up on 108, quite a disappointing score.
A change of tactics saw LMV open the bowling with slow left arm bowler Simeon Cohen, but this proved to be an inspired decision as he bowled one of the openers in his first over and then took the prize scalp of the SC captain caught behind in his second over. Despite the protestations of the SC captain he was gone and so was any chance of them winning the match. The rest of the bowling was pretty good, a wicket a piece for Adam Morris, Raphael Levin and 2 for Gideon Gale. By the end of the 20 overs SC had only reached 71-6, so an easy win in the end.
One match to go against Botany Bay who are 2nd, and it could be winner takes all. If we win then BB can't catch us, if BB win then they will only need 3 bonus points from their final league match to win the league. I know Captain/Match Manager Benjamin is pulling out all the stops to ensure LMV have a strong team for our last match on 1st July 1at home.
Winning the league would put LMV in the last 16 of the County Championship.
Under 11's away match versus Wilf Slack "B" CC
Another tough ask for the LMV boys playing against a strong and much older side. We batted first and managed to score 63 in their 20 overs with Matan again playing very well. However the WS boys managed to score the runs without losing a wicket. There are still two games to go for the team and we are improving in every match. It would be nice to win one of these and we may be boosted with a couple of new recruits for the final matches.
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