Tournament attracts record number of participants

The World Cup may have finished some weeks back in South Africa, but Israel's version was only played on Wednesday. Over 120 children, a record number for any local cricket activity, were divided into 12 teams, each playing under the name and in the colours of a World Cup country. Unlike in the real version, Australia failed to win a single game, South Africa actually did quite well, and Pakistan won the trophy.

With youth cricket progressing at a furious pace in schools in both the center of the country and in the South, most of those who participated have only recently begun playing. Yet the level of play and the enthusiasm showed by all was staggering. Watching a 10 year old child who never knew what cricket was three months ago play a perfect cover drive is a clear indication, if another one was required, that the future of Israel cricket is bright.

The tournament was played according to the rules of mini - cricket, with each player having to bat and bowl 6 balls each. A dismissal reduces the batsman's score by 2, but he continues to bat. Thus every player is given an equal chance, and excitement is guaranteed.

As for the tournament results, Group A was closely contested between Ashdod (Pakistan), Ra'anana 1 (Israel) and Be'er Sheva's Korchuk school (Holland). Ashdod sneaked a narrow 2-run win over Ra'anana, and with Ra'anana and Korchuk sharing the points in a hotly contested tie, it was Ashdod who progressed to the final.

Group B was decided in the opening round of matches. Dimona (Zimbabwe) beat Ra'anana 2 (South Africa), and with both teams going undefeated through their remaining games, it was Dimona who qualified to meet Ashdod in the tournament decider.

With all the children and a large group of parents watching, the final was a dramatic affair. Ashdod batted first and scored 42. Dimona may have been the fancied team prior to the game, but the Ashdod players kept their discipline and nerve in the field, managing to restrict Dimona to 37, and seal a 5-run win.

Besides for the winners trophy, a trophy was also awarded to the team from Al Charizi school in Ramat Gan for the spirit in which they played their games and for their good results, whilst four players who excelled in both their behaviour and play were awarded individual prizes.

Be'er Sheva win U12 tournament

A three team tournament was played in Be'er Sheva on Tuesday. The tournament was played on a sports court, using real equipment, to try and give the U12 players a taste of the real version of the game, without the complications attached in playing on a full size pitch on a proper field.

In the first game, Be'er Sheva easily beat Dimona. Ra'anana, despite not being quite at their best, scored a narrow 1-run win off the final ball of their game against Dimona, and although they put in a much improved performance in what was essentially the tournament decider, Be'er Sheva were just that little bit better and managed a 7-run victory.