The JC MSFL season gets under way on Sunday morning with 53 teams batting it out for silverware across five divisions.
Expect to see lots of blood, sweat, tears and thunder in our unrivalled sports coverage over the next nine months.
The final round of pre-season friendlies saw the goals flying in. London Maccabi Lions B overcame Premier Division rivals Redbridge Jewish Care 5-3 courtesy of braces from Tony Gold and David Dinkin. Josh Morris scored the other.
East London Knights more than held their own against Montana Boca United B in a 3-3 draw. Mike Konzon (2) and player-manager James Ryan were on target for the Knights.
A hat-trick from Richard Fogelman proved in vain as South Manx B were edged out 4-3 by North London Raiders Masters.
Doron Weinstein (2), Richard Slater, Sam Rosenthal, Joel Berg and Danny Hakimi were on the mark as Chigwell Athletic B hammered Pinner JFC 6-1.
Montana A completed their programme with a 2-1 success over UCS Old Boys. Gary Cohen and Raymond Harrod netted.
North London Raiders B boss Rob Richman has spoken of his relief after holding on to hotshot Nicky Woolf. "There was interest from a huge number of other clubs including one from a fifth division team in Saint-Nicholas, Belgium," he said.
The opening weekend throws up some intriguing fixtures. Defending champions North West Neasden A travel to Bafana Bafana without summer signing Lee Bibring.
The first East London derby of the season sees Chigwell Athletic A host Redbridge Jewish Care. New-look London Maccabi Lions A entertain new boys Glenthorne United while Lions B take on Montana A for which the visitors are without Division One player of the season Trevor Henen.
Division Five title hopefuls East London Knights have injury problems ahead of their match against FC Marylebone. Keeper Jon Labi is a major doubt after picking up an ankle injury in the 3-3 draw against Montana B. Chris Bell (groin) and Darryl Rozelaar (knee) out for the next few weeks. Marc Pollack and captain Justin Bell face late fitness test. Simon Marks is on holiday.
Temple Fortune Old Boys B won a three-team tournament in Hatfield. A goalless draw against Norstar was followed by a 3-0 victory over Ashlodge in which Geoff Isaacs, Simon Allen and Stephen Brower. A goal from Fortune old boy Henry Charles earned Norstar victory over Ashlodge to confirm Fortune as the winners.
The Manchester Jewish Cricket League concludes on Sunday with South Manchester Maccabi needing five points from their match against Bury to clinch the title.
Best wishes go to an old schoolfriend whom I discovered recently had a dream job cut short by injury. Adrian Martin left Leyton Orient as head groundsman nine months ago following injuries incurred from a car accident.
So after looking after the Brisbane Road surface for 15 years, he is doing the knowledge.
South Manx B hard man Warren Schenk could be in for a bit of early season ribbing after coming home from his summer holiday red as a lobster. But the ginger eyebrows have clearly added insult to injury.
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