Devastating end for Maccabi AJAX
A DISASTROUS 2012/13 campaign has come to a merciful end for the Maccabi AJAX Cricket Club.
A DISASTROUS 2012/13 campaign has come to a merciful end for the Maccabi AJAX Cricket Club.
Not one of the club’s four teams made it through to post-season competition, with the First XI managing just three first-innings wins from 12 outings – a record that saw the side finish four points clear on the bottom of the ladder with a dismal percentage of a tick over one.
It was a familiar story for the Firsts in their final match of the season against minor premiers South Yarra, with a miraculous comeback – this time led by David Fayman – in the dying stages not enough to restrict their opposition to 150.
South Yarra returned to the crease at 0-47 and were still in the box seat at 4-100, even with resistance coming from Fayman (6-58) and David Majtlis (3-60).
The pair continued their devastating bowling attack, setting up a mouthwatering finish as the Firsts had their opposition at 8-142 at tea.
When Fayman took his sixth wicket with the second ball after the break, Maccabi was on the brink of a memorable win, but South Yarra held its nerve to get over the line.
The Second XI ensured it wouldn’t finish the season with the wooden spoon, slashing its way to a four-wicket victory over Malvern.
Resuming at 2-5, Leon Jacobs (47) and Adam Rapoport (23) steadied the ship with a crucial 70-run stand.
Both batsmen were dismissed shortly before tea, but Maccabi was well placed at 4-127 at the break.
Still requiring 83 runs, club legends Daniel Onas (61) and Matt Aubor (46) then put the result beyond doubt as the pair whacked 80 runs off just 12 overs.
The Third XI also closed the season in style with a 23-run win over Burnley CYMS.
The Thirds battled hard to record 113, before fielding sharply to have their opposition at 4-22.
A 41-run stand threatened to turn the match, but Maccabi got back on top, stringing together a number of quick wickets and dismissing Burnley for just 90.
The biggest disappointment for the club was seeing the Silver Arc Fourth XI miss out on finals action, finishing its rollercoaster season in fifth place, two points shy of a spot in the post-season competition.
A disappointing 76-run loss to South Yarra in the final match was a bitter pill to swallow for the Fourths, who lost the last three games of the season.
In the field, Maccabi struggled to contain its opposition, who smacked 9-172, despite good bowling displays from Daniel Wein (2-23), Nadav Greenberger (2-33) and Josh Jones (2-40).
The Fourths were never in with a chance with the bat, dismissed for 96 with Greenberger the top-scorer with 19.
AJN Staff
Photo: Peter Haskin
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