Marsa end touring season in style

Last week, Marsa ended the touring season with two wins against Ashford CC. In all, 23 teams played in Malta this year.

In total, Marsa played 46 games, winning 23 and losing 21. One other game was rained off. For Marsa, Frank Spiteri topped the batting with 1,231 runs, Michael Caruana took the most wickets, 26. John Grima had 22 catches and 23 stumpings.

In Wednesday's game Ashford batted first in overcast conditions and made 133 runs with P. Frost enjoying the highest score of 33.

K. Khan chipped in with 24 runs for the English visitors. Wally Glynn took the most wickets for Marsa - three.

The home team made the runs required in 25 overs with Gozitan Mark Sacco obtaining his highest score to date of 43, Dameon Willis, 34 not out, and John Grima, 37 not out, polished the runs.

On Thursday, Ashford again batted first, this time collecting 182 with four batsmen making over 20 runs. For Marsa, Alan Swift, Chris Naudi and Glynn all took two wickets each. Marsa reached target in the 36th over with Willis shining again with the bat, making 37 not out and Naudi playing a brilliant innings of 80 including nine fours.

Winter League

The HSBC Winter League commenced on Saturday with Marsa taking on Krishna in a 25-over competition.

Krishna batted first. Kevin Krishna made 26, the in-form Grima 51, Jim Towers 26 before he too retired and Sacco was 46 not out.

In all, Krishna totalled 191.

Marsa went on a run chase. Naudi was run out on 38, Robert Krishna bowled for 18, Willis was caught on 29 as three more wickets fell very cheaply. They were six wickets down for 128 runs with nine overs left and 64 runs needed to win.

Ronnie Sacco was at the crease. He made his first 50 and Pierre Naudi ended with 21 not out.

The climax came when there were only two balls left in the innings and the scores were tied... the bowler had a no ball and Marsa won the game.

On Saturday Krishna take on the combined side of Summer League winners Melita and Overseas.