David Massil bowling to Gedaliya Auerbach. Photo © Israel Cricket

Lions Lod secured their fifth ICA league title in six years when they defeated Netanya by 36 runs in the 2002 final played at Hadar Yosef on Friday. Dominant throughout the season, Lod beat a Netanya team playing in their first final since they last won the league in 1990. Although they would have had aspirations of an upset win, Lod outplayed them in almost every department, and were deserved winners of the Dudi Silbowitz trophy.

Having won the toss, Lod skipper Yefet Nagavkar had little hesitation in deciding to bat first. It was however Netanya who got off to the better start, getting the early wickets of both openers. Nagavkar was first out, smartly caught down the leg side by wicket keeper Rafi Zauer off Des Moss for 9, and with the score on 29, Mahendra Jaiswar was superbly caught by David Silver at slip off Steven Shein, having also scored 9.

Gedaliya Auerbach is all defence against tight Lod bowling. Photo © Israel Cricket

The following 23 overs belonged entirely to Lod, as Isaac Massil and Anim Solomon put together a partnership of 141 for the 3rd wicket. Massil was in fine form, scoring an elegant 60, whilst Solomon, aggressive from the start, hit five fours and four sixes in an excellent 86. Although Netanya picked up a couple of late wickets, Lod completed their 35 overs on 197 for 6. Moss finished with three for 39, and Gedaliya Auerbach, who bowled well throughout, returned the respectable figures of 2 for 20.

Chasing such a big score was never going to be easy for the Netanya batsman, especially against the best attack in the country. Auerbach (4) was first out with the score on 18, and Solly Bergman fell with the total on 43, having scored a patient 15. With the required run rate climbing, Zauer drove Nagavkar straight to David Massil at mid off and was caught for 10. Any slight chance Netanya may still have had was effectively dashed when Silver hit a Solomon full toss directly to Isaac Massil on the square leg boundary. Silver, Netanya's leading run scorer through the season, was just starting to get going after a cautious start, scoring his 37 off 46 balls.

Isaac Massil in full flight bowling to Solly Bergman. Photo © Israel Cricket

Solomon continued his man of the match performance, getting Adrian Vard caught and bowled for 17, and Dani Hotz stumped by Gidon Talkar for 17 as well. In between Shein was caught behind by Talkar off David Massil for 9, and with Des Moss not out on 13, and Francis De'souza on 5, the innings closed on 161 for 7.

Although Solomon (3 for 30) was the main wicket taker, it was the Lod seamers, all of whom bowled with a discipline which made run scoring very difficult, who ensured that the good work done earlier by the batsman would not be undone.

Although the final brought an end to another successful league season, cricket continues with the ICA Knockout Cup, the Winter league and the numerous youth activities as part of the ongoing Youth Development Programme.

© Israel Cricket Association