ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
London Maccabi Vale 2nd cruised to a 10-wicket victory as they demolished London Marshes Select at Chaseville CC.
After moving the stumps to and fro between two very unkempt wickets, the LMS captain decided on using the least dusty of the pitches. With LMV bowling first,it was obvious from the first ball that a) the wicket was poor and b) the opposition were even poorer.
An early wicket for Jonathan Freedman followed by several overs of stalemate as LMV bowled accurately and LMS defended obdurately. With the score on 35-3 at the drinks break LMV expected some type of acceleration from LMS but in the end it turned into a procession of wickets as all the bowlers bowled very tidily.
Chief wicket taker turned out to be David Marks, making his debut for the season in a brand new pair of hiking boots. To be fair his first two overs warranted him going for a walk a long way from the ground. However following a particular feisty talking to by the captain, which consisted of two words, no not those two, "too slow", a now inspired Marksy quickly got into his stride.
The final wicket taken by Alex Nyman has almost certainly won the comedy moment of the season as their number 11 was out hit wicket, but not just hit wicket, he trampled all over them in such a way as to leave all three stumps lying flat on the ground.
77 all out was never going to challenge even our weakened batting line up as both Joseph Greenwall Cohen and Jonathan Cantor scored much as they liked in getting us home in only 13.3 overs, for a comprehensive win. Joseph once again looking in complete command with a series of excellently timed strokes.
Could be a more demanding fixture next week as our "mixed" team take on Graces in the First Division of the MSCL.