Ramle edge title decider

Daniel Pingle rounded out an excellent season with the bat, scoring a magnificent 104 for Ramle in their crucial final league match against Lod. Ramle won the game by 48 runs to move to 28 points on the table, and secure the Division 2 title. Dimona C kept their hopes of avoiding relegation alive with a 102-run win over a lackluster Negev Academy.

With both teams having enjoyed excellent seasons, the much anticipated Ramle - Lod game was essentially the title decider. Batting first, Ramle reached 222, based on a good opening stand of 50 between the Pingle brothers, Daniel and Samson (33), contributions through the middle order and of course the century from Pingle, a tall and elegant right hander, who produced his best performance of the season when it counted most. Philip Gaalak toof 5 for 35 for Lod, including three wickets late on as Ramle went from 214 for 6 to 222 for 9 in their 40 overs.

Lod put up a brave fight chasing a big total, but apart from Asher Penkar (46) none of the batsman went on to make a sizeable score. Raymond Talkar (4 for 15) and Eliezer Samson (3 for 38) did the damage for Ramle, with Lod dismissed for 174.

Ronen Waskar took 4 for 8 as Dimona C were bowled out for 149 by the Negev Academy in Dimona, but a dismal batting performance for the second time in as many games, saw the Negev reply with just 47. Jacky Divekar (5 for 25) ran through the Negev line up, all out in less than 13 overs. The result means that a win for Dimona C in their final league game against Diamonds should be enough to save them from relegation.