Belmont & Edgware Cricket Club

Two years running Belmont & Edgware CC were drawn in the Stuart Neils Cup away to Manchester, but this meeting was set to be more exciting then before as it was now BECC's 1st XI and Manchester have entered a combined XI consisting of all the top Jewish Mancunian cricketers.

The match was played at Cheadle Hulme Cricket Ground on a grassy wicket with lots to offer both the batsman and bowlers. BECC won the toss and with both openers Ashley Connick and Shaun Hart on the back of centuries were looking to set a solid target.

Both openers got off to a great start until Hart was caught at square-leg by an incredible one-handed catch to the out-stretched arm of Jonny Wineberg. Gutman arrived at the crease and began to build a steady partnership with Connick(24) and then Stuart Davis(24). David Ritterband added another 38 to their partnership until Gutman was eventually dismissed for a stunning 92 just a few short of his 3rd century this season.

BECC closed their innings at 248 for just 6 wickets in the allotted 40 overs leaving the opposition needing 6.2 runs per over in the chase for a place in the final.

Manchester Combined showed a solid start with openers Vincent(16) and Marks(26) looking good until Vincent was run-out by a fantastic direct hit from Hart at square-leg. Three more wickets shortly fell shortly thanks to tight bowling from Richard Reggel and Stuart Davis bringing big hitters Lieberman(18) and Olsberg(16) to the crease. Both got off to a fiery start as Olsberg decided he would only hit boundaries. BECC captain Richard Wienburg(5/34) took them head on with his spin breaking both player's defences and helped his team-mates to a place in the final taking 5 wickets on the day.

Manchester were all out for 149. A comfortable 99 run victory for the touring team making the trip a worthwhile adventure. BECC are looking forward to the SNC Final on the 10th September. The other semi-final will be between Newlands & Northwood and BECC 2nd XI who have shown great form and could potentially lead to an all Belmont & Edgware Final, the first time in the competition's history finding the same club fighting for the final trophy.

Good luck to all in the coming weeks.