Tel Aviv CC defetated Ramla by 7 wickets in an ICA Division 1 game played at Hadar Yosef on Saturday. This will be a game that will be remembered more for it's starting time than it's cricket - as the stadium was required for an athletics meet in the afternoon, both teams and umpires were down for some "morning cricket" with a 8am start.

Tel Aviv lost the toss for the 5th time in succession, but Ramle, having chosen to bat in hot and humid consitions, were soon regretting their decision.

They started off reasonably well with 34 off 8 overs. However tight bowling by Herschel Gutman (2/11) and and then a superb spell from Mike Mohnblatt (5 for 15 in 5 overs) had Ramle all out in the 28th over for just 100, of which opener Shalom Rubin contributed 36.

Tel Aviv took under an hour and less than 14 overs to knock off the runs. After the early dismissal of Steve Leigh, Stanley Perlman (41) and Gutman (31*) added 83 in just 12 overs. Perlman was particularly severe on the loose bowling with several vintage pulls and late cuts.

In other games played on Saturday, Lions Lod defeated Young Ashdod by 7 wickets, and Neve Yonatan edged Ashdod 'A', hitting the winning runs off the final ball of the game.

© ISR