Malyankar stars for Young Ashdod, Division 2 - Diamond score first win

With no matches taking place in the Premier League this weekend, the attention was focused on the lower divisions. Young Ashdod maintained their perfect start to their season, defeating Ramle to record their third straight win in Division 1, whilst Division 2 is shaping up into a two horse race, with both Lod Cricket Club and the Negev Academy still undefeated after two games. Diamond Cricket Club collected their first points of the season with a nailbiting 1-run win over Petah Tikva.

The star of the show in Ashdod was Young Ashdod batsman Danny Malyankar who blasted 136, the highest score of the season so far. His innings included an astonishing 12 sixes and 7 fours. He was eventually 7th man out with the score on 267, having shared substantial partnerships with Shai Penkar (21) and Shai Gefen (30). Together with Penkar, 56 was added for the 4th wicket, and the 6th wicket effort with Gefen was worth 118, helping Young Ashdod post 270 for 7 in their allotted 45 overs.

Ramle's only major contribution came from Aaron Abraham (45), as they were bundled out for just 119. Raymond Ashton, Gefen and Michael Moses took 2 wickets each, allowing Young Ashdod to complete a 151-run win.

Lod Cricket Club remain on top of the Division 2 table following another comprehensive victory. Kiryat Gat were no match for the powerful Lod team and, having decided to bat first, were all out for just 105 in Lod. Zion Senkar (3 for 21) and Avner Waskar (3 for 10) were the most successful bowlers for the home team, who then lost just 4 wickets along the way to reaching their victory target. Shimon Penkar (46) and Waskar (21) ensured there would be little fuss in completing the win.

The Negev Academy continued their excellent start to the season with a comfortable 8 wicket win over Dimona A in Dimona. Benny Sogawkar top scored for Dimona A with 40, but the Academy spin twins, legspinner Ronen Wasker (4 for 30) and left armer Solomon Varsulkar (3 for 41) yet again returned outstanding figures, as Dimona A were bowled out for 196. Although losing the wickets of Shai Chayun and Oren Chinchulkar, who both scored 12, and Amitai Malyekar (15) retiring hurt with cramp, George Sheader (65 not out) and Michael Muchie (35 not out) steered the Academy to their victory target.

The game between Diamond Cricket Club and Petah Tikva at Hadar Yosef was expected to be close, with both teams having lost their opening two fixtures and anxious to move off the bottom of the table. Exactly how close nobody could have predicted. Batting first, 53 from Diamond number three Raju Shah was the main contribution in a low total of 151, with Yossi Satamkar taking 4 for 40 for Petah Tikva. Although losing early wickets, with Diamond opening bowler Prashant particulary impressive in getting 3 early breakthrough's, Petah Tikva fought back well, eventually coming within 1 run of a win, being bowled out for 150, with Prashant claiming the final wicket to finish with 4 for 38.