MAL continued their good form with an impressive victory over Gubbays CC on Sunday.
The pitch was very green and, according to the Gubbays’ captain, 'very up and down'. MAL won the toss and inserted Gubbays, whose batsmen came out as if they were playing a 10 over match rather than a 40 over match.
They were four down within the first six overs, thanks to a smart bit of work at point from Avi Gelley to run out the opener, and some good bowling from Yoni Schurder and Yoav Lebens, as well as a fabulous catch at keeper by young Max Sherrard.
Gubbays kept flashing their blades and were 63-4 after 10 overs. Soon after Yoav Lebens dismissed the dangerous looking Leon for 34, and Olly Jenne picked up the sixth wicket when Gubbays had 94 on the board.
The introduction of Grant Traub slowed the run-rate and he worked his way through the tail with some smart left arm spin, picking up 4-16 from his eight excellent overs to bowl Gubbays out for 152 at the end of the 32nd over.
MAL's reply started poorly as Mark Landau was dismissed early. Michael Klinger and Rafi Kon played well to take the sting out of the new ball, before both were dismissed when the change bowlers came on.
Olly Jenne followed quickly and at 49-4 MAL's reply was teetering, but Pinty Baddiel with 23 and Yoav Lebens with 21 did a good rebuilding job. Both fell within three overs, and again at 97-6 the result could have gone either way.
However one of MAL's strengths this season has been the depth in their batting, and this showed again, as Schurder and Traub saw them home with more than six overs to spare. Schurder in particular batted beautifully for his 34 not out.
Gubbays CC 152 (31 overs) Traub 4-16, Schurder 2-35, Y Lebens 2-42
MAL CC 153-6 (33.5 overs) Schurder 34*, Baddiel 23, Y Lebens 21