Lions roar to double-header win; Ra'anana, SL Jerusalem keep alive final hopes

In another busy weekend of Division 1 T20 action, Lions Lod remained the only undefeated team in the competition with wins over both Neve Yonatan and Young Ashdod in Ashdod on Saturday, whilst Sri Lanka Jerusalem, with a thrilling three-run win over Sri Lanka Tel Aviv in Lod on Saturday, and Ra'anana, defeating Young Ashdod by 13 runs in Ashdod on Friday, both maintained their challenge for a place in the final as well.

In Friday's game, Ra'anana would have been more than satisfied with their score of 152 for nine after winning the toss and deciding to bat against Young Ashdod, who had beaten them in the league a few weeks earlier. Daniel Hyman (30), who survived a torrid working over by fast bowler Kapila Yasaratne, and Danny Hotz (36) gave Ra'anana a good start, adding 57 for the second wicket, before Adrian Vard (27*) played well towards the end to take the total above 150. In reply, Young Ashdod, although up with the required run rate for most of their chase, lost wickets at regular intervals to eventually finish 14 runs short.

In Saturday action in Ashdod, Super Lions Lod batted first against Neve Yonatan, in the first of their two matches on the day, reaching 180 for six in their 20 overs, with contributions from Isaac Massil (46*), Eshkol Solomon (36) and Shailesh Bangerra (33). Aby Daniels returned the very respectable figures of two for nine in his four overs. Although starting the chase well, the target was always going to be tough for Neve Yonatan, who eventually finished on 149 for seven, losing by 31 runs, with Yaniv Razpurker (38) the top scorer.

Young Ashdod would have wanted to bounce back quickly following their defeat Friday, and asked to bat first by Lions Lod would have been satisfied with their total of 154 for eight, although having been 90 for two after 10 overs, may have been looking for a couple more runs. At the end of the day they would have needed a lot more runs than a couple, as Lod, after the early loss of Anim Solomon, were in a most destructive mood. Eshkol Solomon (41*) was left to play a supporting role as Yefet Nagavkar probably played the innings of the season so far, hitting Yasaratne, arguably the quickest bowler in local cricket, for five huge sixes in his first two overs. Nagavkar finished undefeated on 73* as Lions completed a remarkable nine wicket win with over six overs remaining.

In a thrilling afternoon match in Lod on Saturday, Sri Lanka Tel Aviv mounted a superb chase in response to a big first innings score of 173 by their countrymen from Jerusalem, although eventually finished fractionally short of their target, managing 170.

Ashdod A remain without much to smile about, after they were defeated by five wickets by Lod Rangers in a bottom of the table clash in Lod on Saturday. A good bowling display from the hosts ensured Ashdod A were bowled out for just 72, with Rangers reaching their target without too much fuss.

In Divison 2 games, Lod, having scored 188 for five, including 27 off the last over of their innings, defeated Ra'anana 2 by five runs in a high scoring match in Lod on Friday, whilst Tel Aviv then scored a remarkable come-from-behind victory over Lod in the afternoon game. Set 145 to win, Lod seemed to be crusing to victory at 115 for one, before losing seven wickets for just 18 runs to finish their overs on 136 for eight, nine runs short of their target, with Alon Chasen taking three for 19 and Yonatan Oskar putting in a polished performance behind the stumps. Kiryat Gat defeated Petah Tikva by 37 runs in Kiryat Gat on Saturday, having scored 195 for nine batting first.

In one Division 2 league match, Be'er Sheva extended their lead at the top of the Blue Group standings with a comprehensive 93-run win over Dimona C in Dimona on Saturday. Moshe Saul (48) top scored for the visitors who were dismissed for 212 batting first, with Abraham Lincoln taking five for 44 for Dimona. Avner Charikar then topped that bowling performance, taking six for 57 as Dimona crashed to 119 all out.