A decisive burst from stalwart Andrew Niman helped Salford end Manchester Maccabi’s 20-match unbeaten run as they claimed a 39-run victory in the NJCL.
On a cold and breezy day at Scholes Field in Cheadle, Salford captain Josh Henry lost the toss to Ray Tammam and Salford were invited to bat first. Andrew Niman opened with Glynn and the two mixed attack and defence to good effect, making 12 and 8 respectively.
Young pace bowlers Daniel Franks and Ashley Landes both looked good however, taking three wickets each as Salford struggled to 56-6 at the break.
The late order recovery was orchestrated by Elliot Koffman, at his boundary hitting best (31), and he was well supported by Marks, Henry and Alex Dover, who all reached double figures and played some very pleasing strokes off slightly indifferent bowling.
With Salford pushing their total to 141 they were looking good at the halfway stage.
Then the game began in earnest. Paul took the new ball. Tammam opened. Tammam went for a ducj after Paul bowled an opening spell of 4-2-5-1. Henry also looked good at the other end and picked up Jake Woolfstein cheaply, but no further breakthrough came from the new ball bowlers and Allweis began to look good at No. 3.
Enter Niman. The stalwart opener had not found his bowling form yet this season but he was inspired. He bowled Pearlman with his first ball and never looked back. His second wicket came just a couple of balls later, with keeper Glynn taking the ball comfortably in what was a superb game for him with the gloves. Niman was ably supported by Koffman, who yorked Allweis for a well made 28, and then picked up Blank soon after. Niman finished with 4-21 and Koffman 2-16.
Henry came back to pick up wicket number nine but then Salford could not dislodge the last wicket pair of Franks and Davis, who survived superbly and then began to tick the score over. They took the score past the 100 mark before Marcel Marks returned to have Davis caught and bowled for a brave 11, with Franks left high and dry on 17.
The title race is hotting up after Salford finished victorious by 39 runs.
The other match in the NJCL saw South Manchester Maccabi cruise to a nine-wicket victory over Leeds Maccabi.
South’s decision to insert Leeds paid dividends as they dismissed them for 73. Batting under heavy skies, Leeds struggled to contend with excessive swing and seam movement throughout their innings.
South’s bowling and fielding was excellent which further restricted the Leeds progress. Akiva Lieberman produced his best bowling of the season to finish with figures of 2-8 off seven overs.
The wickets were shared between the South bowlers with Avrom Topperman (2-21), veteran Rosenblum (1-11) and Elliot Shiers with a wicket to wrap up the innings.
Special mention must also go to David Glick who had all the Leeds batsmen under pressure and finished with fine figures of 3-14 of his seven over spell.
Only threeLeeds batsmen reached double figures as they collapsed to 73 all out.
South made light work of reaching their target in just 10 overs, with excellent batting from Shiers, who finished on 33 not out. He was ably supported by Rosenblum and Akiva Lieberman.
This win keeps South’s faint title hopes alive.
NJCL Scoreboard
Salford 141 Elliot Koffman 31
Manchester Maccabi 103 Andrew Niman 4 for 21
Salford won by 39 runs
Salford 17 pts, Maccabi 8
Leeds Maccabi 73
South Manchester Maccabi 74-1 Elliott Shires 31 not out
South won by 9 runs
South 24 pts, Leeds 1
