Games We Play: England B stave off rival Aviv City 4-3

“Definitely the Game of the season so far,” is how manager of England B, Cliff Corney, described the game against local rivals Aviv City.

By JERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF

FEBRUARY 29, 2012 23:31

Golf (photo credit: Reuters) — Golf

(photo credit: Reuters)

Soccer: England B stave off rival Aviv City 4-3

England B 4 Aviv City 3

“Definitely the Game of the season so far,” is how manager of England B, Cliff Corney, described the game against local rivals Aviv City on Saturday night.

Both teams wanted the win and both started cautiously, however England B started to get into their groove quicker and scored after the 25 minute mark, a quick second score, followed by an outrageous 30 yard effort by Kfir.

Just before half time England B added a third.

Going into the half time it looked like three points were heading towards the England camp.

Aviv City however had different ideas and after some inspirational words from their management, Aviv came out fighting.

Within the space of 20 minutes Aviv managed to score three goals to knot the game.

With 10 minutes to go Omri Hamama scored what proved to be the decisive goal.

Aviv pushed and pushed for the equalizer but England B defended bravely and were able to hold out.

Jerusalem 3 Modi’in 1

Jerusalem continued their fine form on Saturday night, beating Modi’in 3-1 in a cool night in the capital. But the scoreline only tells half the story.

With just 20 minutes remaining, Jerusalem were trailing 1-0 and looking certain to drop their first points at home this season, when the irrepressible Lolu Hibbert banged home his 8th of the season. It was a glorious goal from the edge of the area assisted by the returning Eli Warner.

Earlier in the half Modi’in had taken the lead courtesy of Chaim Finn’s deflected shot. Only the woodwork and some quite phenomenal keeping by the effervescent Francisco Salgado had kept the scores level at the break.

Jerusalem had suffered an early setback losing captain Daniel Kosky to a calf strain and took a while to re-find their balance. Conceding the goal in the 50th minute was the jolt that they needed and despite the unfaltering passion and commitment of the opposition, with time running out, Hibbert equalized.

Knowing that only a win would keep their title push on track, manager Richard Pater orchestrated what was to be a relentless and ultimately devastating attack on the Modi’in goal.

Fearlessly adapting his side to the changing flow of the game, he pinned Modi’in further and further back, until the lethal Moishe Lewis saw the gap he had been working to generate all game and scored his 13th of the season.

While still reeling from the Lewis score and trying to buoy themselves for a final push Modi’in conceded again, the defeat confirmed by a goal from Mexican marvel Jose ‘Misa’ Misael Garcia Guarneros.

With 5 games to go, Jerusalem are now up to second in the table and have a game in hand over Raanana who are 5 points clear.

Hoops: Unbeaten Hawks&Co. through to AFI Final Four

The Final Four is set in the “Red and Dr. Murray’s” Israel Basketball League, with Lobos playing Yak Pak in one semifinal, and Hawke&Co. taking on Jerry’s Kids on the other side of the bracket. The winners face each other on Saturday night, with the Red Auerbach Championship Trophy on the line.

The playoffs kicked off with hard fought battle between 4th-seeded Jerry’s Kids, and No. 5 seed SeaPort 17th-Big Apple Pizza. Both teams played their hearts out to earn a spot in the semifinals, with Jerry’s Kids finally pulling away for a 67-46 win. Jerry’s Kids captain Meir Schattner led the late surge.

Next in the quarterfinals, Potomac18, the 6 seed, faced off against 3rd seed YakPak.

YakPak opened the game strong with a 19-3 run, and went into the intermission up by 10. Potomac18 used an up-tempo transition game, along with good penetration into the paint by Jeremy Pressman and Hershel Bachrach, to create opportunities and claw their way back into the game.

But in the end YakPak prevailed to advance to the Final Four with a 68-59 victory.

In the thriller of the quarterfinals, defending champion Lobos, holding the No. 2 seed, faced the big and strong “Big Fish”.

The game started out close and stayed that way throughout the entire 40 minutes of play.

In an intense game of all-around great basketball, Lobos, led by captain Aryeh Rudman, came out on top, keeping alive their quest to claim a back-to-back championships, with a tense 56-52 win.

The undefeated No. 1 seed, Hawke&Co. rolled to yet another victory, this time beating Pizza Mevaseret 83- 37. Hawke&Co., now just two wins from a perfect season, looks to achieve that piece of immortality this weekend.

Golf: Almagor takes ‘A’ Division Monthly Metal at Ga’ash

Nearly 60 golfers braved the very tough weather conditions with winds gusting over 30K per hour to compete in the Ga’ash golf club February Monthly Metals competition.

The playing conditions were extremely challenging and players found it hard to make good scores.

Shmulik Almagor, who works in the Pro Shop at the Ga’ash Golf Club, and also is on the players committee, won the “A” division with a net 74. Steve Taylor took the runnerup position with a net 75.

The best net score of the day was in the “B” division, where Dorit Levy managed to defeat the elements with a net 65. Second place in the “B” division went to Avraham Zantkern, with a net 70.

Once again the women showed their strength at the Ga’ash Golf Club with Adele Katz winning the “C” division, followed by Yigal Barnea in second place.

Nearest to the Pin prizes sponsored by the Greenfield restaurant at Ga’ash, went to Dorit Levy.

After weeks of bad weather, Ronnie Golding won the 8th round of the Monday’s tour series of tournaments held last Monday at the Ga’ash Golf Club. In perfect conditions, 36 players played in a four-club individual Stableford competition.

Aliza Ophir was the runnerup to Golding’s 36 points with 34 points.

Amos Aharoni took 3rd place with 33 points.

Nearest to the Pin prizes sponsored by the Greenfield restaurant at Ga’ash, went to Michael Cohen and Graham Feldman.

With two rounds left in the series Alon Granot leads with 1,300 points followed by Shmulik Almagor with 1,190 and Andy Nemirof with 1,160.