Lions to meet Ra'anana in league final

Ra'anana easily defeated Neve Yonatan by 8 wickets on Friday, and Lions Lod overcame a good challenge from Dimona C today, to set up a league final to be played in Ashdod on Friday.

Winning the toss and batting first in Ashdod, Neve Yonatan were never able to score freely, and although Yefet Kemrelkar (43) and Shamu Razpurker (28) briefly threatened to build a partnership, their 45-run stand for the 5th wicket was too little too late. Shlomi Korman was the best of the Ra'anana bowlers taking 4 for 26 and Steven Shein took 3 for 40 as the hosts were dismissed for 155. Ra'anana's victory was set up by a 106-run opening stand by Rafi Zauer (49) and Shein (40), and although Aby Daniels (2 for 42) removed both openers, Danny Hotz (22*) and Gerrit Grundling (19*) made easy work of finishing off the job.

The second semi-final, also played in Ashdod, saw Dimona C, the only team to have beaten Lions Lod this season, give the defending champions a good fight, but Lions were good enough to hold on for a 40-run win. Batting first Lions scored 217, to which Dimona replied with 177.

Lions, with their array of internationals Shalom Rubin, Yefet Nagavkar, Eshkol Solomon, Isaac Massil, David Massil, Anim Solomon, Shai Bangerra as well as Sri Lankan fast bowler Kapila are clear favorites for Friday's final, but Ra'anana do have the potential in their team to cause an upset if they can play to the very best of their ability, so a high quality, exciting match can be expected.