Champions Lod off to winning start

2002 League Champions, Lions Lod, kicked off their 2003 campaign with a comprehensive win over Be'er Sheva 'A' in their Premier League fixture played at Hadar Yosef on Saturday. Batting first, opening batsman Mahendra Jaiswar scored a magnificent 101, the first century by any player this season, to lead Lod to a huge score of 273 for 4 in their 45 overs. Jaiswar was initially supported by his opening partner Yefet Nagavkar (47), and then by Isaac Massil (67).

Despite a brave 47 from Samson Ashtamkar, Be'er Sheva were never going to successfully chase such a big total against the disciplined Lod bowlers. Fast bowler Massil (3 for 18) and spinner Benny David (4 for 27) shared most of the wickets, as Be'er Sheva crumbled to 151 all out.

Whilst Lod's win over Be'er Sheva was expected, the result in the other Premier League game of the round, also played at Hadar Yosef, was somewhat surprising. Tel Aviv, despite 37 from Stanley Perlman, were dismissed for just 148 against Ashdod 'A', for whom Menashe Wadhuker took 3 for 44. Poor fielding cost Tel Aviv any small chance they may have had of defending their score, with no less than ten catches being grassed. With Wadhuker scoring 63 not out, and Hillel Awasker 28 not out, Ashdod cruised home to their target, with 7 wickets and 24 overs still remaining.

In the two Division 1 games of the weekend, there was success for both Ashdod teams. Young Ashdod won a high scoring encounter against Be'er Sheva Lions in Be'er Sheva. Moses Saul (76) and Rimon Nagawkar (79) added 142 for the first wicket for the hosts, but once they were both dismissed no other batsman could put together a decent score, and the innings closed on 270 for 7 after 45 overs. Excellent batting from Young Ashdod , for whom Raymond Ashton (47*), Danny Malyankar (43) and Jared Solomon (37) were all amongst the runs, saw them reach their target with 2 wickets and just a few balls remaining.

Ramle couldn't continue their winning way from last week, and came unstuck against Neve Yonatan in Ashdod. With the match having to be played on a soccer pitch due to repair work being carried out on the main Ashdod field, the Ramle batsman failed to come to terms with the uneven wicket, and were dismissed for just 110. Spinners Benzie Kahemkar (3 for 21) and Abe Daniels (3 for 26) did most of the damage, with only Aaron Abraham (32) managing a significant contribution. Daniels (31) and Yani Raspurker (19) got the Neve Yonatan innings off to a solid start, but although they, together with two others, were dismissed, Ramle bowled 42 extras to destroy any hope they may have had of winning the game. Neve Yonatan reached their target with 6 wickets and almost 25 overs remaining.

The highlight of the matches this coming weekend is the Premier League clash between Lions Lod and 2002 runner's up Ra'anana. The game will be played on Friday at Hadar Yosef. All the other action comes on Saturday, with Young Ashdod hosting Dimona 'C' in Ashdod in Division A, and in a full round of matches in Division B, Kiryat Gat entertain Petah Tikva, the Negev Academy will be looking to make it two wins out of two against the Diamond Cricket Club, and Lod play against Dimona 'A'.