State News

By Nathan Rothschild

The Maccabi AJAX first XI were thoroughly outplayed on the weekend, narrowly avoiding an outright defeat in their away match against Heatherton.

The first’s chase of 278 started disastrously, with star batsman Mark Soffer run out in the second over.

On a seaming deck both Majtlis brothers were then dismissed cheaply by Mathew Ryan, with the skippers recent run of outs a sure concern for the selectors heading into the critical stage of the season.

Middle order wickets continued to tumble, with batsman unable to occupy the crease for any material period of time.

Some late resistance came from Simon Lipschitz, with the ex South Australian striking four boundaries as well as a massive 6 that broke a spectator’s car window on his way to a powerful 53.

Lipshcitz received little support from the tail, with slow-medium bowler Simon Fisher the last man dismissed as the firsts were all out for 148.

Sent back in the firsts were required to negotiate 27 overs to avoid an outright defeat. David Majtlis opened the batting and led from the front with 26 runs, and more importantly consistently found the middle of the bat as he appeared to turn his form around.

The captain’s dismissal led to a collapse, with wickets falling thick and fast it was up to Brad Majtlis and tailender Dean Wiener to fend of the Heatherton attack which they did successfully, the game concluding with the ones on 5/97.

The second XI fared even worse in their home game against Heatherton. Having already lost first innings points on day 1, Craig Woolf talked his way to 7 wickets as Heatherton were bowled out for 165.

The twos were pitiful in their second dig, all out for 38 with no batsman reaching double figures, handing the visitors an outright victory before tea.

The thirds ventured out to Straw Field in search of some magic to chase Burnley’s massive day 1 total of 303.

Leon Jacobs was the star of the day with an innings of 107 compiled over 80 overs, while the big hitting Jonny Balbin contributed a stylish 26 as the threes made 8/206 in response.

The Silver ARC 4th XI could only get through half of their one-day match against the Thornbury Turf Strokers before rain forced the abandonment of play. 

After winning the toss and sending the opposition in to bat, Maccabi AJAX dismissed the Turf Strokers in the final over of the innings for 159 runs.

Yossi and Eli Herbst combined for five wickets between them while Eli Lipshatz claimed two scalps, however the rain prevented Maccabi AJAX's innings from commencing, leaving both teams with a draw.

Scoreboard:

• 1st XI: Heatherton 7/278cc (AJ Goldstein 3/97 S Fisher 1/17 D Wiener 1/23) def Maccabi AJAX 148 (SJ Lipschitz 53 D Wiener 19) and 5/97 (D Majtlis 26 D Wiener 23* B Majtlis 21)
• 2nd XI: Maccabi AJAX 71 (Je Balbin 27) and 38 def by Heatherton 165 (C Woolf 7/36 B Miller 1/21 A Paykel 1/42)
• 3rd XI: Burnley CYMS 303 (J Hyams 6/30 L Shneider 2/66) def Maccabi AJAX 8/206 (L Jacobs 107 Jo Balbin 26)
• Silver Arc 4th XI: TTS Black 159 drew Maccabi AJAX (match abandoned)