ASA Tel Aviv showed little regard for Hapoel Yizre'el-Gilboa's status as rugby's double-title holder, sending the defending national champion to its third consecutive loss and taking sole possession of first place with a 34-18 beating. Yizre'el had not lost three in a row in many years.
"Although Yizre'el is weaker this year, it's always a match you want to win," said Stas Gurtovoy, Tel Aviv's captain. "It was an aggressive game, especially the second half. It was our best match this season."
Not even the return of Fijian player-coach Isaiah Matalau, who looked a little rusty, helped. Amir Beutler, who took over as Yizre'el captain after Shai Dekel broke his leg in practice and was lost for the season, remained optimistic after the match. "We started the season poorly, but are improving from game to game," he said.
He added that some players would be returning, including national team forward Oren Broadhurst.
Elsewhere, Hapoel Ra'anana defeated Haifa 13-6. Michael Bialik scored the only try, and the remaining points came from the boot.
At Kibbutz Tzora, Ashkelon humiliated Jerusalem 45-5. Ashkelon scored the first 20 points in 20 minutes and cruised the rest of the way.
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