Ramle too strong for Lions Be'er Sheva

In a high scoring Division 1 game played in Be'er Sheva, Ramle defeated their hosts by 42 runs. Lod Cricket Club continued their domination in Division 2, beating Petah Tikva by 104 runs, and the Negev Academy cruised to an 8-wicket win over Kiryat Gat.

Having won the toss, Ramle chose to bat, and were given a good start by openers Isaac Samson and Daniel Pingle, who added 106 for the first wicket. Pingle was first out, trapped leg before by Raymond Waskar, for 36. With the score on 155, Be'er Sheva struck a double blow, removing first Samson (54) and then Akiva Shimshon (15). Moshe Saigorkar and Yoel Tsirekar steadied the innings, and together shared a stand of 115 for the 4th wicket in just 16 overs. By the time they were out, Saigorkar run out for 61 and Tsirekar caught for 53, they had ensured their team would reach a competitive score. The innings closed on 283 for 6, with Waskar taking 3 for 45.

Be'er Sheva's reply was based almost entirely on a fine innings from Rimon Nagavkar. Whilst no other player in the top six could reach double figures, Nagavkar scored 63. A 9th wicket partnership of 59 between Benny Saygavkar (47) and Shakhar Ben-Yosef (21) gave some respectability to the innings, but Be'er Sheva were all out for 241. Tsirekar completed a good match by taking 4 for 38.

Lod Cricket Club remain undefeated in Division 2, completing an easy win over bottom club Petah Tikva. Hannan Sogason top scored with 52, and Avner Waskar (34) and Ravi Khanna (38*) both added useful contributions, as Lod reached 249 for 6 in their allocated 45 overs. Samuel Ben Hur (25) was the top scorer in Petah Tikva's reply of 145. Waskar, Siyon Sankar and Yakov Levy took 2 wickets each.

Although missing a number of key players, the Negev Academy proved far too strong for their hosts Kiryat Gat. Although not quite at their best, the Academy bowlers made light work of their opponents, removing them for just 145. George Sheader returned the excellent figures of 4 for 11 in his 9 overs. They reached their target having lost just 2 wickets, with captain Oren Chinchulkar (47*) and Sheader (28*) ensuring the victory.