Vale’s first XI set the standard with strong start to league campaign

IT’S BEEN a whirlwind season so far for London Maccabi Vale’s adult teams – and it looks set to continue for the final couple of months of the campaign.

The club’s first XI, under the captaincy of Steven Allweis, compete in Division One of the Chess Valley League and currently lie second in the table after recording three wins and just one defeat from their fixtures. Sunday saw Vale put up a spirited fight in a losing battle against a strong Amersham side, whose Sri Lankan overseas player scored a magnificent 165 against a depleted Vale attack.

For emerging, developing players, Vale also have a second XI playing league cricket. Captained by Jon Feigenbaum and Gideon Gale, they also occupy second place after a promising few matches – with younger talents enjoying the opportunity to play with and learn from more experience teammates.

There’s also an additional Development XI, guided by David Marks, that offers games most Sundays to help junior players bridge the gap to seniorlevel cricket.

This season has been a successful one for the club’s Colt sides. The U11s finished runners-up in their league, the U15s in third place, while the U13s won their league – a fantastic achievement that included impressive contributions from Ben Musikant and Joseph Shaw with the bat and Yishai Lightman and Rafi Zackheim with the ball.

Alex Haffner, club chairman, said: “Over the past few years we have worked very hard to create a structure that creates a pathway for Jewish cricketers from our Colts through to the senior section.

“It is especially gratifying that our adult teams increasingly comprising players who have come through our Colts structure and testament to the amazing work being done by Anthony Wise and our Colts coaches.”