Lions Lod win to maintain pressure on Ra'anana

A full round of Division 1 games took place over the weekend, with log leaders Ra'anana only managing a draw against Ashdod A on Friday, whilst Lions Lod defeated Neve Yonatan to close the gap at the top of the table. Young Ashdod and Lod Rangers played out a draw which did little to enhance either teams' title aspirations, whilst the match between Kiryat Gat and Be'er Sheva also ended in a stalemate.

A 169-run opening stand between Daniel Hyman (106*) and Josh Evans (60) followed by a 20-ball 44 from Rafi Zauer, allowed Ra'anana to declare after just 35 overs with their score on 257/2. The Ashdod A batsmen showed little intent in chasing the target, and content to play for a draw, provided stubborn resistance. Although late wickets did fall, the hosts managed to hold out for the draw as the last pair of Michael Moses and Shachar Waskar were equal to everything Ra'anana could throw at them, batting out two overs as Ashdod finished their 45 overs on 153/9. Steven Shein picked up four for 23 for Ra'anana.

Neve Yonatan's impressive start to the season came to an abrupt halt, as Eshkol Solomon slammed an excellent 122* and Shalom Rubin scored 40, as Lions Lod easily chased down their target in Lod on Saturday. The Lod spinners Benny David 3/32 and Anim Solomon 3/46 were the main wicket-takers, with Arye Oskar top scoring with 57, in the visitors' total of 199.

Lod Rangers batted out for draw against the powerful Young Ashdod bowling attack in Ashdod on Saturday, finishing on 182/8, with Netanal Borgarkar (51) continuing his impressive form, in reply to Young Ashdod's 248/8 in 35 overs.

Stephen Grass impressed with 69 for Kiryat Gat, who scored 255/8 declared in 43 overs, to which Be'er Sheva replied with 128/8.