Ashdod set up semi with Ra'anana; Lions Lod secure final berth

The gulf between Israel's top clubs and those at the bottom was exposed yet again on Saturday in a one-sided ICA Cup quarterfinal between Lions Be'er Sheva and Ashdod A. In a game that lasted 25 overs in total, Be'er Sheva was bowled out for 53, which Ashdod passed in less than 10 overs having lost 2 wickets. Only Rimon Nagawkar (32) reached double figures for Be'er Sheva, for whom five players failed to score. Menashe Wadhawkar (4 for 13) caused most of the damage. Be'er Sheva hardly helped their cause by conceding twenty extras, as Ashdod cruised to victory, and a semifinal clash with Ra'anana in Ashdod on Friday.

The first semifinal was played over the weekend, with Lions Lod once again showing why they are Israel's top club, beating Be'er Sheva by 253 runs. In a game played in Dimona, they totally outplayed a Be'er Sheva team who didn't help their cause by fielding only nine players and dropping more than a handful of catches. The only thing that went right for Be'er Sheva the entire game was the toss, however, in hindsight, asking their opponents to bat first wasn't the wisest decision. Mahendra Jaiswar scored 72, Shalom Rubin 64 and Akhil an undefeated 88 as Lod amassed 338 for 7. The Be'er Sheva batting was as meek as their bowling, and they were dismissed for 85. It could have been even worse if not for 27 runs from Naor Gudker.