First league win for Petah Tikva

Ra'anana ensured they will start the second round of league matches with a healthy lead over Young Ashdod and Super Lions Lod with a comprehensive 156-run win over Kiryat Gat in Lod on Friday, defending champions Lod Rangers finally won their first game of the season, defeating a very understrength Israel X1 by 61 runs at Hadar Yosef on Saturday, but the headlines from the weekend belong to Petah Tikva. Playing their first season in the league, Shai Samuel's team has struggled so far, losing all of their first five matches. However they finally tasted victory on Saturday, defeating Lions Be'er Sheva by 108 runs as the hosts were bundled out for just 43 chasing Petah Tikva's 151.

Josh Evans (83) and Daniel Hyman (69*) continued their excellent batting form so far this season as Ra'anana declared their innings on 265/6 after 33 overs. Quick bowlers Huddy Lieberman (3 for 33) and Gerrit Grundling (3 for 30) then combined to leave Kiryat Gat 30 for 5, eventually bowled out for 109 in the 24th over. Lod Rangers finally had something to smile about this season, scoring 193 before dimissing the Israel X1 for 132, with Raymond Talkar taking 3 for 28 as only Yaniv Razpurker (31*) offered any resistance.

Apart from the Petah Tikva win in Division 2, Dimona C were held to a draw by Lod in Lod, which leaves the battle for second place and a promotion play-off match still wide open. Batting first Lod took no chances in batting out their full 45 overs, with Avner Waskar top scoring with 40* as the hosts reached 249/9. Safania Nagavkar followed up his five wicket haul last match with a further three wickets for Dimona. Abraham Lincoln scored 47* for Dimona, but they fell short of their winning target, managing 226/5 in their allotted 35 overs.