Ramla claim league title in dramatic final weekend

Lions Lod and Ramla went into the final round of matches of the 2009 league season almost level on points, with Lod enjoying a slight advantage of 4 points. Lions, the defending champions, traveled to Be'er Sheva to meet Be'er Sheva A, perhaps the surprise team of the season, whilst Ramla played Young Ashdod in Ashdod. Whilst Ramla eased to a comfortable 7-wicket win, Lions suffered a shock 8-run defeat to Be'er Sheva, giving Ramla the title for the first time in their history.

Sunny Samson completed a memorable season which saw him become a key member of the national team, with 3 for 22, as 9-man Young Ashdod were bowled out for 154. Shmuel Moses scored 61. The Ramla bastmen then completed the task, reaching their target in 27 overs.

But the real drama of the day took place in Be'er Sheva. Lions, who have dominated the domestic league for most of the last decade, would have been heavy favorites against a host side which surprised all the odds to even finish in the top four this season. Be'er Sheva batted first, batting their full compliment of 45 overs in scoring 212 for 8 with Yona Malyekar top scoring with 40. Kapila took for 3 for 35. Benny Gudker removed openers Shalom Rubin (21) and Yefet Nagavkar (11) early as Lod began their reply, but despite good contributions from David Massil (52) and Kapila (41), Lod were all out for 204 with 1.2 overs remaining.