2001 Junior League

The first Junior League to be arranged in Israel started on Friday August 31. Three teams will participate, each playing each other on a home and away basis. The top two teams will qualify for the final, with the top team from the group stage enjoying home advantage.

Matches will consist of 30 overs per team, with each bowler being allowed a maximum of 6 overs. Only players between the ages of 11 and 16 will qualify to play.

Fixtures & Results

Table

Match Reports

Ra'anana win thriller off final ball - August 31

Not too many cricket fans would have forgotten the thrilling tied semi-final between Australia and South Africa at the 1999 World Cup in England. Needing 9 off the last over with just one wicket in hand, South African all rounder Lance Klusener smashed 2 boundaries, before being run out going for the winning run following a dreadful understanding with Alan Donald. On Friday in Be'er Sheva, Ra'anana required 11 runs off the final over, with two wickets remaining.

That became 11 needed off four balls, after Gal Matz was out leg before off the second ball of the over having scored 49. Dani Hotz, who had retired earlier according to the rules of play designed to give each player a chance to bat, returned to the wicket, and unlike Klusener, was not about to crack under the pressure - the last four balls saw him hit 4, 2, 4, 2 to give his team the narrowest of wins. The game marked the opening fixture in the 2001 Israel Cricket Association Junior League.

Asked to bat first by the visitors, Be'er Sheva would have been delighted with their score of 144 in their allotted 30 overs. Ronen Wasker played superbly for 32 not out, and opener Bar Ilya contributed 24. Matz, with 2 for 20, was the pick of a rather undisciplined Ra'anana attack. Despite having their run chase reduced to 28 overs because of a slow over rate and losing Reuven Bergman with the score on 4, Matz (49), his younger brother Eyal (15), Ben Silver (8) and Hotz (43*) all contributed to the victory. Leg spinner Wasker took 2 for 9.

Ra'anana win again in Junior League - September 7

Ra'anana sealed their second straight win in the ICA Junior League, with a comprehensive 8 wicket win over Ashdod at Hadar Yosef on Friday. Having been asked to bat first, Ashdod lost a wicket with the first ball of the match and, despite an aggressive 20 from Shmuel Moses, never managed to recover. Wickets fell at regular intervals, as Ashdod were bundled out for just 48 runs in 18 overs. Gabi Shachat returned excellent figures of 3 wickets for six runs in three overs, and there were two wickets apiece for Eyal Matz (2/2) and Darren Miller (2/1).

Although chasing a small target can occasionally be tricky, not even the quick loss of both opening batsman was going to deny the hosts a comfortable win. Israel U15 stars Gal Matz (18*) and Dani Hotz (21*) knocked off the required runs in under 7 overs.

Ra'anana snatch victory; secure final berth - October 3

Still smarting from their success at the U15 European Championships, Israel's junior cricketers are currently focused on the inaugural junior league which began last month. After a short break, matches resumed this week, with Be'er Sheva visiting Ra'anana on Wednesday in a game played at Hadar Yosef. The two teams produced a last ball thriller last month, and once again proved to be extremely evenly matched, as the game fluctuated between the teams, with Ra'anana eventually winning by 8 runs.

Having won the toss and chosen to bowl, Be'er Sheva got off to the perfect start as Ra'anana opener Reuven Bergman pulled the first ball of the game to straight to square leg. Gal Matz (37*) and Ben Silver (14) steadied things, in a 50 run partnership for the 2nd wicket. Just as Ra'anana were looking set for a big score, leg spinner Ronen Wasker ripped out the middle order in a magical spell of bowling in which he claimed 5 wickets for just 9 runs in 6 overs. Gabi Shachat (10*) played a few very attractive shots through the off side, helping his team post a competetive score of 111/9 in their 30 overs.

With the wicket in very poor condition, anything over 100 was going to be difficult to chase, and although Be'er Sheva got off to a good start, with Michael Muchie leading the way with a splendid 25, Darren Miller produced an inspired piece of bowling, taking four wickets for 12 runs, to turn the momentum in Ra'ananas favour. Although always in with a chance, the Be'er Sheva lower order was completely tied down by some tight bowling, managing to reach 103 for 8 whenin their 30 overs.

The Ra'anana win guaranteed them a place in Wednesday's final,whichwill almost certainly take place at Hadar Yosef, with Ra'anana finishing top of the group stage. Either Be'er Sheva or Ashdod will meet Ra'anana in the final. The two teams meet in Be'er Sheva today, and again in Ashdod on Monday. Ra'anana completes their group matches in Ashdod on Sunday.

Ra'anana win Junior League - October 10

Ra'anana defeated Be'er Sheva by 4 wickets in a tense final to the 2001 ICA Junior League played at Hadar Yosef on Thursday. The final culminated what had been a fantastic inaugural junior league, which produced both a very high standard of cricket and some extremely exciting and intriguing finishes. Be'er Sheva, who had qualified for the final after securing a 6 wicket win over Ashdod in the final round of preliminary games on Monday, only managed to score 81 having been asked to bat.

They were always struggling against tight Ra'anana bowling and fielding, and only left hander Bar Ilya, who top scored with 19, managed to play a meaningful innings.

Reuven Bergman bowled superbly to take 2 for 9, with Gal Matz claiming 2 for 16.

What seemed like being a simple task was soon complicated as Ra'anana slumped to 20 for 4. Whilst loose shots were the downfall of most of the batsman, credit must go to the aggressive and disciplined way in which Be'er Sheva approached the defence of their mediocre total. Although wickets continued to fall, as Darren Miller (3) and Eyal Matz (0) were both bowled by speedster Michael Muchie off successive balls, Dani Hotz played one of the most valuable innings of his short career, hitting an aggressive 43*, to guide his team to victory. He added 27 runs for the 7th wicket with Gabi Shachat (3*), who had the honour of hitting the winning run.