Neil Lederman praised Alex Haffner after the middle-order batsman guided London Maccabi Vale to a crucial two-wicket victory over nearest rivals Wembley in the Chess Valley League Division Four.

After a top-order collapse, which saw Mark Landau, Danny Caro, Ben Kohler and Adam Brand back in the pavilion with just 29 runs on the board, Haffner dug deep to produce a match-winning knock of 46 not out in a rain-affected match at Vale Farm.

Earlier, Steven Allweis produced another impressive new ball spell as Wembley found runs hard to come by early on. He was well supported by Eddie Davis and Ben Kohler, while Sam Clarfield chipped in with his first wicket for the club, thanks to a fine diving catch from Adam Solomons.

Lederman claimed the prize wicket of Wembley skipper Jack Webster. Wicket-keeper Aviel Schwarz produced a fine low catch off a thick inside edge to dismiss the 17-year-old Australian who has already scored 1,600 runs this season.

Davis and Lederman finished with two wickets apiece, while Allweis and Brand claimed one as Wembley were dismissed for 170.

Solomons and Haffner helped rebuild the LMV innings, although there was another wobble at 69-6 before Lederman (38) joined Haffner to steer the visitors towards the target.

Another stoppage for rain saw the target reduced to 150, with Haffner smashing a six over the square leg boundary in one his finest knocks for the club.

Lederman said: “It was a great team effort — our batting was really tested and it shows that we’ve got great strength and depth to it that we were able to recover from 29-4 and 69-6 to chase 150.

"We bowled really tidily and even though they scored 47 before we took the first wicket we never really lost control of the game.

"Alex was outstanding again and has, along with myself, become our level-headed finisher. This is the third time this season he has seen us home in a tricky run chase and it makes the jobs of myself and the other bigger hitters easier by having a level head at the other end.”

LMV host Chingford on Sunday and Lederman is challenging his players to maintain their winning formula.

“It was a great result against the team that’s second in the division,” he said. “We have four games left, obviously our first aim is promotion, but being a bit more ambitious it would be great to win the league and remain unbeaten."

CHESS VALLEY LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR TABLE
1. London Maccabi Vale Pl. 7, W. 6, Pts. 26
2. Wembley Pl. 6, W. 3, Pts. 16
3. Bushey Pl. 4, W. 2, Pts. 10
4. West Herts Pl. 4, W. 2, Pts. 9
5. St John's Wood Pl. 4, W. 2, Pts. 8
6. Winchmore Hill Pl. 4, W. 2, Pts. 6
7. Lohana Pl. 5, W. 1, Pts. 6
8. North Mymms Pl. 4, W. 2, Pts. 5
9. Ealing Hanwellians Pl. 3, W. 1, Pts. 4
10. Long Marston Pl. 5, W. 0, Pts. 4
11. Brentham Pl. 3, W. 0, Pts. 0