Winning starts for Ra'anana, Lions Lod and SL Jerusalem; Lions win Be'er Sheva derby

The domestic season finally got underway over the weekend after a one-week delay due to the security situation in the South and problems with the field in Lod. There were no surprises in the Division 1 T20 tournament, as Ra'anana 1 began their season with two comfortable wins in their double header against Neve Yonatan and Ashdod A in Ashdod on Friday, whilst on Saturday, Lions Lod easily overcame Lod Rangers by nine wickets in Lod, and Ashdod A fell 43 runs short chasing 177 against Sri Lanka Jerusalem in Ashdod.

The highlight of the action was a century by Danny Hotz (118*), who shared in a remarkable 198-run partnership with Daniel Hyman (70) as Ra'anana amassed 218 for three in their 20 overs against Ashdod A, who replied with just 117. Earlier in the day, Hotz (35) had also been amongst the runs, along with Rafi Schachat (39) and Hyman (35) as Ra'anana successfully chased the 138 run target set by Neve Yonatan, winning with two overs to spare and 7 wickets in hand.

David Massil took four for 13 as Lod Rangers crawled to 78/8 against Lions, who knocked off the runs in just 11 overs, led by Yefet Nagavkar (47*). The Sri Lankan Jerusalem team could at least smile about something on the day their national team were defeated by India in the World Cup final, Danushka starring with both bat (67) and ball (three for 27), as Ashdod A started their season with two straight defeats.

In Division 2, their was little to choose between the Be'er Sheva teams in a T20 derby which Lions Be'er Sheva won by just 8 runs. Danny Ashtamkar (52) spearheaded Lions' innings of 141 for three, to which Be'er Sheva replied with 133 for six, Moshe Saul (41) the top scorer. In league action, Petah Tikva got their season off to a fantastic start with a 18-run win over Ra'anana 2 at Hadar Yosef on Friday. Shai Samuel (60) and Alon Benjamin (57) both scored half centuries in Petah Tikva's total of 203 with Daniel Kaplan taking five for 62 for Ra'anana, who were dismissed for 185 in reply, Seth Musikanth scoring 52. Kiryat Gat were too strong for Dimona A, winning their match in Kiryat Gat by 85 runs. Batting first, Xavier De'Souza (49) led the hosts to 184, Nir Dokarkar taking four for 40. Dimona A were then bundled out for just 99, Batisha taking five for 35.