Israel’s rugby team clinched top place in the Europe 2B league and promotion to Europe 2A in the most dramatic fashion with a thrilling 20-16 victory over Andorra on Saturday.

This is the third successive season that Israel have won promotion and they will now play in Europe’s fourth
highest division.

However, the 1,500 fans at the Wingate Institute were stunned when Andorra raced into a 10-0 lead in the first half hour. By the 56th minute Israel had pulled level at 13-13, but even after Andorra had two players sent off the visitors retook the lead with a penalty to make it 16-13. But a last-minute try and conversion by John Levy sent the crowd wild.

Israel coach Raanan Penn said: "This was a tight, tough game against an aggressive team that fought hard. But we proved our maturity and professionalism by getting the upper hand in the closing minutes.

"We came prepared mentally and the players did us proud, as did the fans."