Depleted Vale slip to third league defeat

CRICKET LONDON Maccabi Vale succumbed to a battling defeat at home to Radlett, as they fell 37 runs short in their second innings chase.

Affected by a string of absences of their first-choice players, Vale fielded an inexperienced side and their lack of batting depth cost them dearly in this Chess Valley League encounter.

Set a total of 250 to win, Vale were in a healthy position at the half-way stage but they lost wickets at regular intervals thereafter and ultimately suffered their second successive defeat.

Whilst Benjamin Lederman (62) was at the crease, Vale stood a chance but his departure left the tail too much to do.

Steven Allweis (34) gave Vale a glimmer of hope as he struck a series of lusty blows late on, but it was not quite enough to help LMV over the finishing line.

Earlier in the day, Lederman had also played his part with the ball. He picked up three wickets and his elder brother Neil claimed one as Vale bowled admirably in challenging conditions.

Maccabiah junior Toby Michaels impressed and grabbed a wicket with a well-flighted leg-spinner, but Radlett’s opener carried his bat to make an unbeaten 126 as he powered his side to an ultimately winning total of 249.

Three Jewish players helped Primrose Hill under-10s finish runners-up in the Sir Gubby Allen Trophy, played at the Nursery Ground, Lord’s.

Ben Musikant, Judah Kandel and Zak Bayfield featured prominently during the run-up to the final, which culminated in a ten-run defeat by Ealing.

Musikant, who also plays for London Maccabi Vale U11s, claimed the opening wicket in the Radlett innings, caught by wicketkeeper Bayfield, who was in action again in the 11th over, stumping a batsman off the bowling of Kandel.

Kandel struck three boundaries in the Primrose Hill reply, but Ealing’s bowlers held their nerve to triumph.

CRICKET SCOREBOARD

CHESS VALLEY LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

Radlett 249-5 Benjamin Lederman 3-51

London Maccabi Vale 212 Benjamin Lederman 62, Steven Allweis 34 LMV lost by runs 37 runs

FRIENDLY

Belmont & Edgware 220 Adam Jacobs 64, Joshua Chaim 54, Jonny Evans 33

Chase 123-9

BECC won by 97 runs

CHESS VALLEY LEAGUE DIVISION ONE TABLE

1. Finchley Pl. 4, W. 4, Pts. 16 2. Brondesbury Pl. 5, W. 4, Pts. 16 3. Harrow Town Pl. 5, W. 3, Pts. 16 4. London Maccabi Vale Pl. 6, W. 3, Pts. 11

5. UCS Old Boys Pl. 7, W. 1, Pts. 8 6. Radlett Pl. 6, W. 1, Pts. 6

7. Harrow St. Mary’s Pl. 6, W. 2, Pts. 3 8. Watford Town Pl. 5, W. 0, Pts. -5

DIVISION FIVE TABLE

1. Edgware Pl. 5, W. 5, Pts. 20 2. Greenwood Park Pl. 3, W. 1, Pts. 14 3. Chipperfield Clarendon Pl. 5, W. 2, Pts. 5

4. Octopus Pl. 3, W. 0, Pts. 4 5. Belmont Pl. 4, W. 1, Pts. 3 6. Crouch End Pl. 4, W. 0, Pts. 2