Neve Yonatan edge thrilling derby, Lions roar in the rain and Eilat start with win

Although it is usually the soaring temperatures of July and August that cause discomfort to, but does not reduce the enthusiasm of, local cricketers, not even the unseasonal cold and wet weather over the weekend could disrupt the action. The most dramatic game of recent years took place in Ashdod, where Neve Yonatan tied their city neighbors Young Ashdod's score of 188 (thanks to a last over six), but won the game having lost less wickets (eight as opposed to Young Ashdod all out). In Lod, Petah Tikva were unable to handle to weather conditions and drowned to a huge 276-run defeat to Lions Lod, whilst in Eilat, where the sun shines literally all year round, the home side began the 2013 season with a 68-run win over Be'er Sheva.

Young Ashdod, asked to bat first in a match reduced to 35 overs due to the wet weather, started their innings well with Danny Malyanker (50) and Srinath Rajit (75) adding 105 for the second wicket, but once both were dismissed by Yani Razpurker (three for 34) the middle and lower order crumbled to 188 all out, Matan Razpurker taking four for 34. Itamar Kehimkar showed his talent and class once again, scoring 68 and seemingly steering Neve Yonatan to their target, but three quick wickets for Raymond Aston (four for 21) left Neve Yonatan in trouble at 172 for 8. However the 9th wicket pair of Benny Razpurker and Levy Kamarlekar held on, only just, leveling the scores in the last over, and only realizing after the match they had actually won having lost less wickets.

As tight as the Ashdod game was, so the match in Lod was one sided. Lions Lod amassed 308 in an innings interrupted numerous times because of rain, Eshkol Solomon (87*), Shalom Rubin (68) and Yefet Nagavkar (63) all scoring half centuries. Petah Tikva , cold and wet as they came out to bat, crashed to 32 for 6, before declaring themselves unable to carry on due to players not feeling well.

Former Israel internationals Sanjay Gupta (44) and Jacky Divekar (45) added 72 for the 5th wicket as Eilat were dismissed for 165. Although a seemingly achievable score, Shadi Dikraz (five for 22) ripped through the Be'er Sheva top order, reduced to 46 for 6 and although they managed a recovery of sorts, fell well short dismissed for 97.