London Maccabi Vale match report

Anuj Relaxes with the score book after his

half century almost saved Myddelton from defeat.

Man of the Match Anuj with a bud.

With club captain Sameer Patel unavailable vice captain Anuj Bhardwaj took over the captaincy and produced a captain's performance with the bat although the match ended in defeat. Vale were asked to bat on a damp Dame Alice Owen's pitch and built a useful partnership with the first wicket falling for 50 in the 19th over, Alan having Cantor caught by Lee Stevens just as Myddelton were thinking a wicket was becoming a must. Alan took the next two wickets before John Nelson got into the act with Lee taking his second catch of the game. Feigenbaum decided it was time to open his shoulders and began to take Fitzy on hitting high into the mid wicket area on his way to an unbeaten 36. John made a catch at deep mid wicket off Fitzy look very easy and rumour has it that John and Lee will be holding "catching masterclasses" on tuesday's at 7pm. Alan finished with a much deserved 5 wicket haul as Vale declared on 148-7.

Myddelton's innings started brightly with Rohan Patel hitting 11 off 10 balls before being adjudged lbw 3 balls later. Brad Williams joined Ken Mottram and two overs later Ken was caught behind and Lee came to the wicket. Brad started well with a series of on drives off full tosses and he built a partnership of 34 with Lee before Lee was bowled playing back to one that nipped back taking the off stump. Brad was out shortly after, bowled through the gate gate for a useful 42 but came off feeling yet again, that he had got out with "only half the job done." Arthur was bowled first ball by a similar delivery and MHCC began to fear the worst but never fear Anuj is here. Anuj began by nudging a couple of two's and three singles before running out Fitzy trying to pinch the strike bringing John to the wicket and awakening memories of their partnership at Brightling Park. Alas this wasn't to be another miracle parnership with John being caught for a spirited 7 including the trademark pull / drive through mid wicket for four. Alan was lbw for 0 and Terry joined Anuj needing 57 from 14 overs but with only one wicket left. Despite calls from the now watching Sameer for Terry to run 2's and 3's despite the fact he is 63 years of age in just over a month, Terry backed up Anuj well with controlled batting allowing Anuj to keep the strike. Anuj, with a mixture of lusty blows including seven boundary 4's and 13 singles reached his 50 despite the scorer refusing to add his score for fear of jinxing the batters, but was unfortunately caught three balls later for 53.

London Maccabi Vale 148-7------- Myddelton House 134

Individual Performances

Batting; Rohan 11, Ken 3, Brad 42, Lee 3, Phil 2, Arthur 0, Anuj 53, Fitzy 0, John 7, Alan 0, Terry 4*

Bowling; Terry 9-3-14-0, Anuj 8-3-30-0, John 11-3-33-1, Alan 14-3-37-5, Fitzy 3-0-26-1

Catches; Lee 2, John 1

Fines; Arthur - Duck, Fitzy - Duck, Alan - Duck, Arthur - catch, Rohan -catch, Fitzy - catch