Nagavkar in top form as Lions reach semis; Ra'anana and Be'er Sheva also through

Lions Lod and Israel opening batsman Yefet Nagavkar scored a superb 151 as his team amassed 305 for 5 in their 40 overs against Young Ashdod, in their ICA Cup quarterfinal, played in Ashdod on Saturday. Nagavkar, who has the potential to destroy any bowling attack, found top form and was the main contributor in useful partnerships shared with Shalom Rubin (26), David Massil (30) and Anim Solomon (28). Danny Malyankar took 3 for 58 as the depleted Young Ashdod bowling attack was dispatched to all parts of their picturesque home ground.

Young Ashdod were never going to be able to mount a serious challenge to the huge Lions total, and were dismissed for 203. Malyankar (39) and Raymond Ashton (37) added 50 for the 4th wicket, but even while they were together the game was always beyond their reach. Massil (2 for 27) and Solomon (2 for 32) were the most successful of the nine bowlers used by Lions Lod.

In a match played on Friday, 2nd Division outfit Petah Tikva were hosted by Ra'anana of the Premier League at Hadar Yosef. Although Ra'anana were missing several first choice players, the expectation that the match was to be one-sided proved to be correct. Having been asked to bat in overcast conditions, Petah Tikva, intent on mere survival, crawled their way to 21 before the first wicket fell in the 13th over. This started a steady procession of wickets, as they were dismissed for just 53. Only Yossi Satamkar (10) reached double figures. Slow bowler Adrian Vard was again amongst the wickets, taking 3 for 15. Petah Tikva may have been fighting a losing battle, but they certainly didn't throw in the towel. A combination of tight bowling, loose shots and bad luck left Ra'anana with three of their most senior batsmen dismissed, all by Satamkar, with just 10 runs on the board after 8 overs. Teenage sensation Gal Matz has had an indifferent season, but he certainly rose to the challenge and led the Ra'anana fight back. Having pulled Satamkar for a huge six, he then took 18 runs off one over from Rafi Penkar, to make sure the win would be secured without further fuss. He finished 35 not out, but it was Simon Lawrence who hit a six to finish the game in the 12th over, despite the best efforts of Satamkar (3 for 18). The highlight of the lop-sided contest was the rain which arrived early in the Petah Tikva innings and forced the players from the field for a rain delay, an event which could probably be added to the annuls of history, such is it's scarcity during the Israel domestic season.

Be'er Sheva A also secured their place in the final four, comfortably beating Lod Cricket Club in Be'er Sheva. Having been asked to bat, Lod were all out for 185, with opening batsman Hannan Sogadson contributing 50. All the Be'er Sheva batsmen made starts before getting out, but Menashe Valutkar (45 not out) ensured the victory by 6 wickets with more than three overs remaining.

The outstanding quarter final between Lions Be'er Sheva and Ashdod A will be played this weekend.