Manchester Maccabi Under 13s lost by 3 runs against Monton & Weaste.

The morning rain eased to allow Manchester Maccabi young under 13 cricketers to face their counterparts at Monton & Weaste and between the two teams served up an exciting match.

Monton chose to bat first and despite losing an early wicket when the score was on 10, motored along to 50 after just 10 overs. The wicket seemed to have little in it for the bowlers until captain Joe Lewis and Robbie Blackman removed three top order batsman.

Nathan Orr’s first ball in competitive cricket brought another wicket as Monton moved past the 100 mark. At the end of their allotted 20 overs, Monton reached 111 for the loss of 6 wickets. Pick of the bowlers was Max Lever, who relinquished just 3 runs from his two overs and Alex Benjamin who lost only 10 runs off his three. Joe Lewis returned figures of 2-11 and Robbie Blackman weighed in with 2-13.

Maccabi got off to the worst possible start in return, losing Joe Lewis for a duck when the score was only 9. Jamie Benjamin looked in supreme form as he took control of the batting majestically scoring 17 off 25 balls, before a rash moment saw him give his wicket away. When Rafi Dines was dismissed for 5 with the score on 47, Maccabi’s task started to seem mountainous.

Josh Gellman , batting at number 3, showed great control, with the support of Alex Benjamin started to bring Maccabi back into the game. With five over remaining, Maccabi needed 45 more runs. Alex Benjamin hit a couple of fours and the two put together an unbeaten stand of 61 in 63 balls.

However this was just not enough, as Maccabi finished on 108-3. Josh Gellman top scored with 30 not out off 56 balls including 3 fours and Alex Benjamin finished on 29 off 32 balls, also hitting 3 boundaries.

Manager Jonny Dines was delighted with the performance, saying: “We played really well and almost won the game. A big well done to all.”

Maccabi next play on June 14 against Radcliffe CC at St.Pauls, starting at 6pm.