Vital win keeps Maccabi in top four

ARTICLE SOURCE: The Australian Jewish News by Shane Desiatnik / PHOTOGRAPHS: Peter Haskin

Maccabi-AJAX’s First XI needed to beat third-placed Melbourne High last Sunday at Gary Smorgon Oval to stay in fourth spot on the MCC Club XI division one ladder with just two regular season rounds remaining. And they did so, in thrilling fashion, sealing victory in the last (40th) over of their run chase.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Melbourne High’s top order batters all had a solid start, reaching double figures. But when Lior Meyerowitz dismissed their top-scorer, Dhanusha Gamage, for 55, and sustained pressure was put on them through accurate line and length by Maccabi-AJAX’s attack and sharp fielding that produced two run outs, the visitors crumbled from being 4/123 to being all out for 163.

Bowler Jacob Jones was in top form, taking 3-31 in his seven overs. Amir Meyerowitz took 2-33, and Josh Jones and Noah Goldberg each produced a wicket.

The Maccabi men’s run chase began poorly, with both of their openers out for just one, but they got back into the hunt through smart, patient and gritty batting, surpassing Melbourne High’s total in the final over with the loss of only four more wickets.

Proud captain Josh Rotstein – who scored 26 runs off 24 balls in a better-than-a-run-per-ball 40-run partnership with Josh Jones to seal the win – said, “It was an amazing win to keep our season alive. I thought the team, as a collective, were great in the field and our attack bowled well as a unit.”

Rotstein added he was particularly impressed with Jacob Jones, who played his first match since returning from a trip to Israel and took three top-order wickets. After the early double blow in the chase, he was pleased with “our positive batting approach, with Zak [Fleisher] and Amir [Meyerowitz] making scores in the 40s”.

The team are one competition point ahead of fifth-placed Old Xaverians and travel to second-placed Old Haileyburians this Sunday.

Maccabi-AJAX’s Second XI, in division 3, are also in fourth spot, despite a seven-wicket loss last Sunday to competition leaders Old Xaverians.

Photographs courtesy of Peter Haskin: