Ra'anana celebrate fourth league title after 20 year wait

Ra'anana have won their first league title in 20 years, and their fourth in their history, with a draw against Lions Lod on Friday enough to give them the Dudi Silbowitz Trophy. The final round of Division 1 matches played over the weekend began with three teams - Ra'anana, Lions and Young Ashdod - all in with a chance of finishing top of the table, but, it was Ra'anana who secured the necessary bonus points, finishing on 256 points to Lions' 253, with Young Ashdod finishing back in third place after a narrow one-wicket defeat in their game against fourth placed Neve Yonatan. At the bottom end of the table, Be'er Sheva slumped to a 8-wicket defeat to Ashdod A and Lod Rangers were far too strong for already relegated Kiryat Gat, meaning it's the Negev team who will have to face up to Sri Lanka Jerusalem in a promotion/relegation match later this month.

Two strong and evenly matched teams faced each other in Lod on Friday. Having elected to bat first, Huddy Lieberman removed Shalom Rubin (1) and Yefet Nagavkar (25) early, and Lod would have been in even more trouble had two catches not been dropped within the first three balls of the 10th over bowled by Josh Evans. As it turned out, the mistakes were not too costly with David Massil (3) dismissed by Steven Shein next over, and the danger man Eshkol Solomon (18) hit an Evans' long hop straight to Gal Matz at midwicket soon after. A terrific 189-run 5th wicket stand between Isaac Massil and Shailesh Bangerra brought Lod firmly back into the game and set for a big score, before a late order collapse, including the wicket of Massil for a superb 96, left Lod just short of their 250-run target, and gave Ra'anana invaluable bowling bonus points they never seemed like getting. Left arm seamer Gerrit Grundling (three for 33) was the pick of the bowlers.

Set 246 in 36 overs to win, Ra'anana were well aware scoring 175 for the loss of less than seven wickets would be enough to guarantee them the title due to the bonus point situation. David and Isaac Massil were both superb with the new ball, restricting Ra'anana to just 24 runs in the first 10 overs, with Daniel Hyman (11) falling to Isaac Massil on the stroke of the 10-over drinks break. Danny Hotz (13) gave the innings some impetus with a couple of boundaries before he was bowled by Akhil's first delivery. Gal Matz, promoted to open the innings, remained unfazed at the other end, and together with Gabi Schachat (21) added 38 for the third wicket, before Isaac Massil trapped Schachat leg before. At 96 for three after 22 overs the game was evenly poised, however Matz, joined by Evans, found another gear, and began taking the attack to the tiring Lod bowlers. Both batsmen played superbly, taking the score past the crucial 175-run mark, and then beyond 200 as Lod tried unsuccessfully to break the partnership. Matz finished not out on 97, Evans was undefeated on 45, as they combined for a 107-run stand. Ra'anana completed their 36 overs on 205 for 3, allowing for their celebrations to commence.

With the title already decided, Young Ashdod were unsurprisingly slightly deflated against Neve Yonatan on Saturday, Itamar Kehimkar took four for 30 as Young Ashdod were bundled out for just 152, and although Raymond Aston (four for 47) and Kapila Yasaratne (three for 49) were amongst the wickets, Neve Yonatan held on for an exciting one-wicket win. Nissim Reuben starred for Ashdod A, taking six for 27 as Be'er Sheva collapsed to 70 all out. Anis Zaveri anchored the visitors reply, scoring 30 not out. Netanel Borgarkar completed an excellent season, scoring 48*, as Lod Rangers made light work of reaching their 108 run target set by Kiryat Gat.

After a break for the holiday period, the domestic season resumes later this month with the popular Twenty20 tournament. Local cricket fans will also be able to enjoy live cricket on television in the coming weeks, with Eurosport 2 covering the Champions League tournament to be played in South Africa starting September 10.