Scott Gerard smashed 150 from 78 balls but his team still lost by 80 runs

Two cricketers in white, one holding up a bat, the other holding a helmet — Scott Gerard and Jamie Hurwitz, the two centurions – (Credit – Belmont and Edgware CC)

Belmont and Edgware slipped to two losses yesterday, as the ones went down in a nail-biter and the twos were defeated despite an epic unbeaten century.

The first eleven faced off against Crouch End at their home ground, Old Camdenians, in Mill Hill.

After a solid opening partnership from skipper Elliott Mayer and keeper Mark Spanjar, wickets fell at regular intervals.

After some lower order resistance they made their way to 187 in their allotted overs, having started earlier to ensure nobody missed the Euros finals.

In reply the 1s got Crouch End six down and it got very nervy at one point as a series of wickets fell while the opposition neared the total.

Meanwhile the twos played London Maccabi Vale’s development XI on the bottom pitch, also at Old Camdenians.

Vale batted first with opener Jamie Hurwitz hitting a fabulous unbeaten ton, as the opposition got to 200 without loss. Belmont pulled it back well, eventually bowling Vale out but the total was mammoth, at 341.

In reply, Belmont and Edgware had a stuttering start, before allrounder Scott Gerard went berserk, hitting a century in under 60 balls. He ended up 150 not out off 78 deliveries, smashing 15 fours and 11 sixes, as the 2s lost by 80 runs in the end.

While Vale Development were on top for the majority of the game, Gerard’s ton was a memorable innings which ensured the winning margin was respectable.

Club captain Elliott Mayer said: “Yet another good day at Old Camdenians with 2 teams out. The game vs Crouch End was exactly what you want from a friendly – played in a great spirit but competitive and going down to the very last ball. Decent contributions in our batting innings to get to a respectable total and then really tight bowling to restrict their run rate and build pressure throughout. This was backed up by a strong fielding performance but sadly we couldn’t quite get over the line”.

Second XI skipper Jack Mendel said Scott Gerard’s 150* “was one of the most memorable innings from a Belmont player in its history. A few weeks after celebrating our 50th anniversary as a club, it’s great to see records being broken and us going from strength to strength. Congratulations to Vale Development on a terrific victory, Jewish cricket is in a healthy place.”

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