With a near perfect record in the first round of league action so far this season, Lions Lod would have fancied their chances of securing the title. However superb batting by the Razpurker contingent in the Neve Yonatan team dealt Lions a heavy defeat by 8 wickets in Lod on Saturday, and means the title race will now surely go down to the last weekend of matches.

Matan Razpurker was the star for the visiting team, smashing an undefeated 119, to cap a fine season which also saw him win his first senior cap for the national team. His younger brother Nadav (54) gave his team the ideal start as they chased the Lions score of 230, before cousin Yaniv (33*) helped Matan ensured a win inside 22 overs. Earlier both Yaniv and Matan had shared six wickets as Lions did well to post a respectable score having earlier been reduced to 75 for 7.

In other Division 1 action Young Ashdod eased their relegation fears with a four wicket win over Lod Rangers.