London Maccabi Vale 1st bowed out of the Evening Standard Challenge Trophy after losing their first round clash against Knebworth by six wickets. Last season’s Stuart Neils Cup national winners failed to defend a total of 210-8.
Belmont & Edgware 1st made a winning start on their return to the Middlesex Sunday League Division One. They dismissed Bharat Olympians for a paltry 92 at Parmiters with captain Richie Wienburg (5-32) the chief tormentor. The South African legspinner capped a fine display by claiming a hat-trick and was ably supported by Saul Weitzman, Gavin Diamond, Edward Davis, Neil Myeroff and Stuart Davis.
Former Australian Maccabiah star Bronson Ritterman (49) and Daniel Durban eased BECC past the winning target for the loss of one wicket. The pair cut lose with a series of sixes as BECC won in 20 overs.
There were opening day wins for Newlands & Northwood, MAL and Southgate in the Barratts Maccabi Sunday Cricket League.
MAL pulled off the result of the day with a dramatic nine-wicket win against defending champions Casual Nomads. Having elected to bat first, Nomads set off in search of a good score with Brett Simon scoring a breezy 67. The defending champions collapsed from 100-3 to 131 with excellent fielding and catching complemented by fine spells from Mark Landau (4-17), and Grant Traub (3-7).
MAL eased home for the loss of one wicket with four overs to spare with unbeaten pair Tony Wise (47) and Landau (44) getting the season off to a flying start.
New boys Barnet received a warm welcome from Newlands and Northwood at Durrants OMT with the home side amassing 223-8. Veteran opening batsman Benny Wolpe (114) hit the first century of the new Maccabi season. In reply Barnet came up well short limping to just 69.
Southgate made easy work of a depleted Belmont & Edgware 2nd. Led by Michael Blasebalk (36), the visitors struggled early on before pushing towards the hundred mark. A late order collapse started by the excellent bowling of Ray Bean (5-33) and son Paul Bean (3-22) halted the charge with BECC making just 130. Keith Aizen adding 31.
The Southgate innings faltered for the most part with Lee Stuart managing 29 but with his demise, the home side looked in trouble at 65-4. Captain Richard Mitchell hit a fluent 22 before being caught at slip by which time on 19 were required and the home side got home with 14 overs to spare.
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