Chigwell & Hainault Synagogue claimed a 69-run victory over Belmont & Edgware 2nd.
A makeshift Chigwell side, consisting of three Newlands players, two young debutants and former regular Benjy Myers on holiday from his new home in Dallas, Texas managed to defy the odds and pick up a comprehensive win against a Belmont who themselves featured a number of youngsters at Parmiter’s School.
Stand-in Chigwell captain Matt Murray won the toss and elected to bat despite cloudy overhead conditions. The decision was vindicated by a strong opening stand between himself and Nigel Katseph who put on 45 in eight overs.
Murray fell for 31, attempting another big shot against the bowling of Jacobs who bowled with good pace and intelligently used slower balls.
The fall of the wicket brought in Benny Wolpe, guesting for Chigwell this week. He continued his fine form with an array of wonderful shots while Katseph looked to rotate the strike where possible.
Some disciplined bowling, particularly from Rafael Levin, David Kaplan and Oskar Hollinsworth, combined with tight fielding by the BECC team frustrated the two batsmen but wickets were not forthcoming.
Wolpe finally fell in the penultimate over to the bowling of Adam Jacobs for a superb 75, ending a partnership of 147. Nigel Katseph battled until the end, carrying his bat for a score of 36 not out.
Chigwell set Belmont a score of 197 to beat in 35 overs and the game appeared in the balance.
Chigwell’s bowlers kept it tight at the start of the innings, with another Newlands stalwart Derrick Sheldon sharing the new ball with Chigwell veteran Stuart Kaye who rolled back the years with a vintage display.
Kaye made the first breakthrough with Benjy Myers taking a smart reaction catch at square leg.
Left-handed BECC batsman Jacobs looked dangerous but was done by a peach of a delivery in Chigwell debutant Ethan Ezra's first over. The young left-armer bowled with good pace and bounce and was a handful for many of the BECC batsmen.
With Kaye picking up a further two wickets in his spell of seven overs, 3-18 runs and Ezra picking up 3 -33, BECC were under pressure despite keeping up with the required run-rate.
Benjy Myers replaced Kaye and took two vital wickets in an impressive spell. Some brief resistance was provided by BECC captain Ryan Monk who hit some big shots including a huge straight six in his knock of 33 but when young debutant Yonah Goldschmidt picked up his wicket Chigwell sensed victory and bowled BECC out for 128.
Chigwell & Hainault 197-2 Benny Wolpe 75, Nigel Katseph 36 not out, Matt Murray 31)
BECC 2nd 128 R Monk 33 Stuart Kaye 3 -18, Ethan Ezra 3-33
Chigwell & Hainault won by 69 runs
