Belmont & Edgware Cricket Club

Belmont & Edgware 1st XI bring the Stuart Neils Cup Trophy home.

South Hampstead CC hosted the coveted Stuart Neils Cup 2006 Final on what turned out to be the most beautiful Sunday of the season. Both Belmont & Edgware and Newlands & Northwood have worked hard to reach the final and prepare for this day.

What usually has been a well contested battle between the two teams turned into a one-sided lesson in cricket as BECC trounced N&N in a 9 wicket victory.

The two captains Richard Wienburg (BECC) and Simon Durban (N&N) walked out to the middle to toss the coin which would set the match in motion. Durban won the toss and elected to bat on a dry and flat wicket with a very fast outfield. 15 minutes later BECC took their fielding positions and the openers Paul Durban and Ben Frais appeared at the crease.

The first strike was made in only the second over of the match when Adrian Godlewicz fielding at gully dived forward and held onto a ball which absolutely flew from Frais' bat off the bowling of Richard Reggel (3/22). The next over Eddie Davis (2/21) made the major breakthrough by bowling Durban on his home ground.

The pressure was now starting to build for N&N and they had to start building an innings. Richard Lipschitz (18) and Alex Haffner (35) now at the crease took this job headfirst and continued playing sensible cricket strokes. Herschel Gutman came onto bowl with his fiery pace forcing the batsman to steal singles whenever possible both for the runs and to get off strike. One attempt too risky allowed Gutman to field one off his own bowling and run out Lipschitz with a direct hit to the opposite stumps.

After drinks a decision to slow down the bowling pace was made bringing Neil Myeroff and Wienburg (2/20) into the attack. Tight bowling from the pair increased the pressure and runs were sought after as consecutive maiden overs were bowled. This forced Haffner into an error with another breakthrough wicket bowled by Wienburg.

Benny Wolpe (27) was the only other batsman to add value to the scorecard until he was caught brilliantly by Reggel off Richard Ableson's (1/5) bowling at short-square leg. Wolpe whipped the ball off his legs and Reggel instinctively dropped one hand to his knee and scooped it up.

The rest of the side were cleaned up to close the innings on 127 in just over 38 overs helped by a top fielding performance by BECC.

The break for tea was most welcomed by all including approximately 40 spectators who were thoroughly enjoying the show.

3:30 sharp and N&N took up their fielding positions joined at the crease by BECC openers Ashley Connick (74) and Eddie Davis (29*). Connick immediately took charge of the situation with runs coming from all sides of the field. Virgil Levy and Wolpe opened the bowling for N&N and no matter how accurately they placed the ball, Connick seemed to have all the answers.

Jon Mymin and Simon Durban came on after 5 overs with the score already over 40 to try break this partnership but to no avail as Connick didn't look like slowing down. With the score at 96, Richard Segalov was their last hope and immediately got the breakthrough as Connick skied one to covers and was caught for a magnificent 74.

Walking off to a standing ovation from the spectators and players, Gutman (21*) replaced him to join Davis who was playing a solid role. These two gently stroked the ball around the park and carried their bats to victory in just 15 overs.

Junior Maccabian captain Ashley Connick was awarded the Man of the Match trophy selected by the umpires. A genuine star for the future of Jewish cricket.

The medals and trophy were awarded by Clive Gellar, life Vice President of Maccabi Great Britain, to a well deserved Belmont & Edgware to lift once again. Each match played on the road to the final was met with absolute professionalism in cricket and has shone a great future upon this club.

Mazaltov and congratulations !!