Vale deny big hitters centuries but rain ruins it
CRICKET LONDON Maccabi Vale were denied the chance to snatch victory by the weather in their friendly fixture with Finchley.
Vale were set for an intriguing evening chase but persistent rain intervened and finally saw the match abandoned.
Finchley had batted first and were grateful for their two overseas imports from Australia and New Zealand, who helped the visitors recover from a slow start to post a competitive 244-7 off their 40 overs.
Steven Allweis (4-37) and Alex Fachler (1-17) both struck early on, but the overseas pairing came together to show their class.
They survived a series of dropped catches in a sloppy Vale fielding effort, and made the most of their good fortune.
Both had centuries in their sights before Adam Brand and Joe Nyman dismissed the Aussie (93) and Kiwi (87) respectively. Vale bounced back strongly after that brace of wickets, with Allweis returning at the death to fool three more batsmen with his canny mix of slower balls and yorkers.
In response, Sam Clarfield and Ben Kohler (34) started well in difficult conditions, battling through heavy rain to get Vale off to a flyer.
After a series of wickets then fell in quick succession, Brand and Simeon Cohen looked to be steadying the ship and laying the foundations for an LMV assault on Finchley’s total.
The weather, however, intervened as a steady stream of rain made life too dangerous for the bowling side.
The deteriorating conditions were then deemed to be unplayable and the match, which was in the balance, was promptly abandoned with Vale 77-3 off 12 overs.
Vale’s next encounter will be an away trip to Watford CC on June 4 .