London Maccabi Vale cruised to a resounding eight-wicket victory away to Watford Town to record their third consecutive success in Division One of the Chess Valley League.
July 16, 2018 10:20
Led by a majestic partnership of 140 from Maccabiah stalwarts Danny Caro and Adam Brand, Vale comfortably chased down their target of 191 to win with more than twelve overs remaining to continue their superb start to the campaign.
In difficult circumstances - a baking hot day, a flat pitch that encouraged stroke-making and a lightning fast outfield - Vale's collective bowling performance was superb.
Fifteen-year-old Rayno Greenwall Cohen set the tone from the outset, picking up two wickets in his opening burst as he pitched the ball up at pace and consistently troubled the Watford Town top order. At the other end, Steven Allweis added the key dismissal of the opposition's Australian overseas player to stamp Vale's authority on proceedings.
Despite some big hitting from the hosts, Vale never allowed their heads to drop - and Neil Lederman produced a moment of brilliance to keep LMV in front in the middle overs. A full-blooded drive was hit straight back to Lederman, and Vale's captain managed to pluck the ball out of thin air to complete a magnificent caught-and-bowled dismissal that left his teammates speechless.
Joseph Greenwall Cohen and Adam Brand then combined to wrap up the innings in ruthless fashion, as they shared five wickets to bowl the hosts out for an under-par total of 190.
Greenwall Cohen then strolled out to bat in response and he oozed elegance in striking four quick boundaries, before he was caught stuck on the crease and given out LBW for 17. That invited the big-hitting Brand to the crease and he duly dispatched his first delivery for a monstrous six to signal his intentions.
Caro was a fixture at one end, bringing up his 50 off 67 balls and showcasing his full repertoire with shots all around the ground, and Brand reached his milestone shortly afterwards: his half-century arriving in 52 deliveries.
The pair had carried Vale to within touching distance of the finishing line when Caro played-on for 80, allowing Benjamin Lederman to hit his first ball for four to seal victory for LMV and send them, albeit briefly, to the top of the table.
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SCORECARD
WATFORD TOWN 190 (37.3 overs)
LONDON MACCABI VALE (Bowling)
Steven Allweis 7-2-26-1
Rayno Greenwall-Cohen 6-0-25-2
Benjamin Lederman 6-2-24-0
Neil Lederman 7-0-45-2
Adam Brand 6.3-0-29-2
Joseph Greenwall-Cohen 5-0-20-3
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LONDON MACCABI VALE (Batting)
Danny Caro b 80 (104 balls, 16x4)
Joseph Greenwall-Cohen lbw 17 (23 balls, 4x4)
Adam Brand 80 not out (68 balls, 10x4)
Benjamin Lederman (4 not out (1 ball, 1x4)
DNB
Ben Kohler
Sam Clarfield
Alex Haffner
Neil Lederman
Rafi Saville
Steven Allweis
Rayno Greenwall-Cohen
Total: 194-2 (32.5 overs)
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CVL DIVISION ONE TABLE
Harrow Town Pl. 6, W. 3, Pts. 16
Finchley Pl. 3, W. 3, Pts. 12
London Maccabi Vale Pl. 4, W. 3, Pts. 12
Brondesbury Eagles Pl. 3, W. 2, Pts. 8
Hertford Pl. 3, W. 2, Pts. 8
UCS Old Boys Pl. 5, W. 1, Pts. 4
Radlett Pl. 3, W. 0, Pts. 4
Harrow St. Mary's Pl. 3, W. 1, Pts. 0
Watford Town Pl. 4, W. 0, Pts. -6