SIMON MORAWETZ

THE Maccabi AJAX First XI is on the brink of defeat after day one of its contest against Murrumbeena, following a disappointing showing with the bat.

At the close of play, Murrumbeena was just 16 runs from victory with eight wickets in hand, chasing the visitors’ 144.

But there were positive signs for the future, with debutant Devan Spilkin impressing in his first outing for the team. Batting down the order, Spilkin crafted an unbeaten 32, the highest score for the side.

Former Maccabi AJAX batsman Troy Lamb put his old side to the sword, crashing 77 not out from just 88 deliveries to put Murrumbeena in the box seat.

The First XI won the toss in its match at Murrumbeena and elected to bat, but when opener Bloch was trapped in front, a collapse followed.

Reeling at 4-28, the Firsts rallied through David Fayman and skipper Dave Gelbart, who added 25 for the fifth wicket. David Majtlis (21) and Gelbart (11) combined for a 14-run stand before the skipper was out, bringing Spilkin to the crease. Justin Kramersh made a useful 18, but Murrumbeena needed just 53 overs to skittle the Firsts.

In response, it was all Murrumbeena, with only Gelbart (1-22) and Fayman (1-24) managing breakthroughs.

The Second XI faced an uphill battle in the second day of its match against Murrumbeena, after the visitors posted an imposing 9-268.

Winning the toss and electing to bowl, the Seconds enjoyed a dominant opening session, which saw their opponents in trouble at 3-21. Openers Ben Miller (2-74) and Michael Feiler (2-51) bowled with venom, as the Maccabi AJAX side gained ascendency.

But Murrumbeena was equal to the task, hitting back with a 77-run partnership for the fourth wicket. It went from bad to worse for the Seconds as a 103-run stand for the seventh wicket helped the visitors to an imposing total at the close of play.

The Third XI’s match was shortened to a one-dayer next week after mid-week rain made it impossible to prepare a pitch in time.

The Fourth XI was handed a demoralising hiding on day one of its clash against Port Melbourne. Electing to bat, the Fourths were bowled out for 63 in just 27 overs. In response, Port Melbourne amassed 7-335 from the remaining 45 overs, with Jeremy Balbin claiming four wickets.

It was a similar story for The Silver Arc Fifth XI, which played at Coles Sharks on Sunday. The side elected to bat, but managed just 89. The hosts’ reply was brutal, amassing 4-218 by the end of the day.

The First XI resumes against Murrumbeena on Saturday at 1pm at Peter Robertson Oval (Melway: 69 B7).