Lions secure the title, Be'er Sheva A relegated

Lions Lod continued their dominance of domestic cricket, securing their sixth league title in seven years with a thumping 145-run over Ashdod A. Young Ashdod defeated Be'er Sheva A in a match vital to both sides aspirations for remaining in Division 1; the defeat means that Be'er Sheva will be relegated. In Division 2, Tel Aviv are now just one victory away from guaranteed promotion, easing past Ramle by 4-wickets on Saturday.

The Lions top order all enjoyed the opportunity to bat first at Hadar Yosef, with Yefet Nagavkar (44), Mahendra Jaiswar (18) and Shalom Rubin (37) all amongst the runs. However it was Isaac Massil (60*) who ensured Lod would post a winning score, taking his team to 223 for 7 in their 40 overs. Spinners Hillel Awasker (3 for 23) and Danny Malyankar (3 for 39) enjoyed some success as the other Ashdod bowlers toiled with little reward.

Malyankar (30) top scored in Ashdod's reply, which was a miserable effort indeed. The team capitulated for just 78, with Benny David (2 for 22) and Janeth Silva (2 for 4) sharing most of the wickets.

Avraham Benjamin starred with the bat for Be'er Sheva A, scoring a fine 76, but failed to receive significant support, apart from Mishra Hirendar (27) who together with Benjamin added 79 for the 6th wicket. Raymond Aston produced a fine opening spell, picking up three wickets, and picked up a fourth later on in the innings, to finish with 4 for 28.

Be'er Sheva, with 180 runs on the board, would have had confidence of pulling out a second straight win, but a quick fire 62 not out by Eitan Benjamin put paid to such aspirations. Together with Aston (32*), Benjamin helped Young Ashdod recover from 113 for 5 to pull off the win, with over 12 overs and 5 wickets in hand.

In Division 2, Tel Aviv made heavy weather of Ramle on Saturday. Ramle batted first after winning the toss and were soon in trouble. Brett Kree and Mike Mohnblatt reduced Ramle to 30 for 5 after 15 overs. However Ramle captain Isaac Samson (40) batted sensibly to lead his team out of trouble. For all his efforts, he was however outscored by "Mr. Extras", who scored 41. Tel Aviv should not be proud of the fact that "Mr. Extras" has now scored a total of 210 in seven games played, courtesy of the Tel Aviv bowlers.

Set 114 to win, Tel Aviv lost their way from the beginning and at 89 for 5 it was anybody's game. However Kree came to the rescue with a good 44 not out, enabling Tel Aviv to secure the victory. Samuel Borgawker (4 for 25) was the outstanding Ramle bowler.

Although the win leaves Tel Aviv in poll position, Division 2 is fascinatingly poised with Dimona C not out of the race just yet. If they win all their remaining fixtures, including that against Tel Aviv, they will win the title. Neve Yonatan is out of contention for promotion on the basis that even if they should beat Dimona C and Tel Aviv should lose to Dimona C, they would finish equal on points with Tel Aviv but lose out on the basis that Tel Aviv have already beaten them twice this season.