Sri Lanka Tel Aviv take Division 2 title with win over Lions Be'er Sheva

The battle for automatic promotion to Division 1 went down to the final weekend of matches in Division 2. Sri Lanka Jerusalem ensured all the pressure was on their countrymen from Tel Aviv, with a win over Ra'anana 2 on Friday, but Tel Aviv survived the pressure of a tricky run chase in Be'er Sheva on Saturday to complete a 4-wicket win and finish top of the table. Both teams completely dominated the Division 2 league, and after losing a promotion play-off match last season, Tel Aviv can look forward to sterner challenges in Division 1 next year, whilst Jerusalem could yet be joining them if they win a play-off game against whichever team finishes second bottom in Division 1, with two matches still to be played.

Needing to secure as many bonus points as possible, Sri Lanka Jerusalem declared their innings after just 35 overs on 227/6 against Ra'anana 2 at Hadar Yosef. Although they picked up four wickets relatively cheaply, Josh Evans and Gavriel Kaufman combined to frustrate the Sri Lankans with a good 5th wicket partnership. With the overs running out, a draw seemed the likely result before the Sri Lankans began taking the wickets, eventually winning by 51 runs with a handful of balls remaining in Ra'anana's 45-over innings.

Ronen Waskar scored 54 as Lions Be'er Sheva batted out their 45 overs in scoring 217/7 against Sri Lanka Tel Aviv, Chamara taking four for 40. Needing to get the runs within 35 overs, the Sri Lankans won with four wickets and three overs in hand, despite Raymond Waskar picking up five for 61.

In the other Division 2 fixture of the weekend, Dimona A and Lod played out a draw in Lod. Rafael Varsulkar (59*) and Adiel Yaakov (52*) both scored half centuries as Dimona batted their full 45 overs in scoring 256/5. Yaakov took four for 50 but Lod were never in trouble of being bowled out, finishing on 192/6, Sujeet scoring 66*.

Division 1 action resumes this weekend with two more very interesting games in Group 1, in the penultimate round of matches. Third-placed Young Ashdod host league leaders Ra'anana 1 on Friday, with second-placed Lions Lod playing Neve Yonatan on Saturday.