Two Marsa wins in 49th over

The Marsa team did well last week when facing three different touring teams. They won two games and lost the other one.

The Thursday fixture against St Pauls School was a low-scoring game. St Pauls batted first and could only manage 130 runs from their 50 overs.

Two batsmen Ashok (21) and Netherson (23) were the top scorers for the school side. A further five players - Elisha, Griffiths, Kokri, Zimmerman and Fairbank - all made it into double figures but were unable to go on. Marsa's main wicket-taker was Walter Glynn who took three wickets.

Marsa were confident about getting the total needed but it was not until the 49th over that they did so with only three wickets left.

Earlier on in the innings, the Spiteri brothers dominated the batting. Frank made 31 while brother Angelo hit 30. Mark Sacco made 12 and had the boys from St Pauls bowled straighter they may have even won the game.

They gave away 24 wides and 13 no balls which helped extras to a total of 41 runs.

In the end Jason Muscat hit the winning runs for Marsa.

On Saturday, Marsa played the Stragglers of Asia, a team who originates from India.

The Stragglers were put in to bat by Marsa. Robert Pollock-Hill and Matt Shales opened the batting and put on 43 runs before Shales was out lbw.

Next was Sye Razvi. He made a quick 34 before he was bowled and Sam Chapman made 33. Pollock-Hill was caught behind for 24 and suddenly the Stragglers were struggling.

They managed to make 187 from their 50 overs with Oscar Nowak making 25 runs towards the end of their innings.

Angelo Spiteri and Desmond Don Paul were the pick of the bowlers taking three wickets each.

Marsa's opening partnership was worth 64 before Rory O'Brian was lbw for 21. Chris Naudi added a further 12 before being caught.

Marsa then lost two cheap wickets and were now also struggling. Angelo Spiteri made 54 before being caught and Marsa were in deep trouble.

An inspiring partnership between Alan Kyle and Ronnie Sacco saved the game though. John Grima finished off the runs by clever batting. Marsa again reached the target in the 49th over.

On Sunday, Marsa lost the first out of four games against Merchant Taylors. Three other matches are scheduled for this week.