Tel Aviv edge out Neve Yonatan as Be'er Sheva's woes continue

Tel Aviv extended their unbeaten run to four matches, winning the crucial Division 2 game against Neve Yonatan by 10-runs. Be'er Sheva remain without a win in Division 1, slumping to a 54-run defeat to Ashdod A.

Ashdod A scored their second consecutive win on Division 1, beating Be'er Sheva A by 54-runs in Ashdod on Saturday. Joel Reuben scored 62, Menashe Wadhawker 43 and then Hillel Awaskar a flamboyant 42 not out as Ashdod A piled up a total of 250 for 7 in their 40 overs. Ariel Waskar took 3 for 35 for Be'er Sheva.

Be'er Sheva are yet to win a game all season, and chasing such a daunting score would always have been beyond their reach. However they did make a bright start, recovering from the early loss of Benny Gudker (4), with Yonatan Malekar (34) and Naor Gudker (30) putting on a good stand for the second wicket. However once both players were removed, the middle order could not maintain the momentum. Avraham Benjamin was run out for 21, and although Kenneth Elaza and Ariel Waskar both managed 20, they were all out for 196. Gershon Waskar (2 for 23), Michael Moses (2 for 19), and Wadhawker (2 for 32) were amongst the wickets, but it was Awasker who was the most effective bowler, conceding just 16 runs in a 6-over spell.

It was billed as the Division 2 match of the season, and lived up to expectations - one might say exceeded expectations. When Tel Aviv won the toss and elected to bat, no one could have expected such a see-saw battle. The old rivals Neve Yonatan and Tel Aviv had to win this match to keep alive their hopes of winning the 2nd Division and promotion to the elite league.

Tel Aviv got off to a flying start with 56 runs on the board at the first 10-over drinks break. After 20 overs the score had climbed to 86, although with Paul Thomas (26) and Ben Fisher (22) dismissed, it was up the middle order to continue the good work of the openers. Steve Leigh (8) was deceived by Benzie Kehimkar (2/23), and Frank Auger was adjudged caught behind for 23. Wickets continued to tumble with veteran Shimshon Razpurker picking up 3 for 24 as well as holding a couple of catches. It was left to Mike Mohnblatt (14) to show his younger teammates how to play the limited overs game. His flick over mid wicket for six will long be remembered. Aby Daniels turned in a commendable 8 over spell, taking 2 for 25, as Tel Aviv completed their allotted 40 overs at 156 for 9.

Despite a required run rate of just under 4, the visitors set about their target in style, taking 12 off the first over. However after 20 overs they were well behind the rate at 53 for 3. However the next 10 overs saw a swing in the match, as captain Daniels (28), Kehimkar (28) and plenty of wides took the score to 138 for 5. Requiring a further 19 runs with 5 wickets and 10 overs in hand, the game was all but won, however the guile and tactics of Tel Aviv , coupled with the pressure, got to the visiting batsmen. Thomas bowled Kehimkar, and then Daryl Kree turned in a magnificent, match-winning spell of 4 for 8 in 4 overs, including the vital wickets of Daniels and Razpurker. The latter literally through away the game with an injudicious shot which he played on to his wicket. Tel Aviv snatched a 10-run win from the jaws of defeat, to move top of Division 2.