Big wins for the big 3

A full round of Division 1 fixtures took place over the weekend, with Ra'anana, Young Ashdod and Super Lions Lod all winning to maintain their title aspirations. Young Ashdod enjoy a one point advantage at the top of the table but have completed their first round matches, whilst Ra'anana in second spot, and Lions Lod, 33 points off the pace, have a game in hand. The three teams are set to meet each other for a second round of matches starting in August, with the title race still wide open.

Ra'anana suffered a late collapse as Shai Shirgorkar claimed a hattrick, but managed to squeeze over the finish line with two wickets and one ball in hand, chasing 213 against Neve Yonatan in Ashdod on Friday. Shai Penkar (57) continued his good form, and Raymond Aston chipped in with 42*, as Young Ashdod scored a comfortable 6-wicket win over Kiryat Gat who posted 209 batting first in Ashdod on Saturday. The performance of the week belonged to Super Lions Lod spinner Anim Solomon, who took six for 15 as Lod Rangers collapsed to 81 all out. Shalom Rubin and Gershon Massil (41*) took Lions to the easiest of 10 wicket wins. In the other game of the weekend, Be'er Sheva and Ashdod played out a draw, with Ashdod batting out their 35 overs with 159 for 8 after the hosts had scored 226/7 in 45 overs.