North Sussex win series 2-1

After the previous comfortable win over North Sussex, Marsa fielded a weaker team for the other two matches during the week.

On Wednesday, Marsa won the toss and elected to bowl. The tourists had an early shock with opening batsman M. Bassett being caught behind for a duck off the third ball of the innings. However, Sam Lowther steadied the innings with a patient 69 runs.

William Irwin also put in a solid performance with 40 runs before being bowled by Alan Swift. Matthew Donegan made 24 as the Marsa bowlers did not help the situation by hitting 24 wides.

The visitors made a total of 204 runs from the allotted 40 overs.

For Marsa, Sarfraz Ali was the main wicket-taker with three wickets.

Marsa looked confident before the match but only until both opening batsmen were in the dressing room with four and 13 runs respectively.

Tim Wheeler and John Grima put on a partnership which looked like winning the game for the home side until Wheeler was bowled for 27. Grima remained not out in the innings with 66 but had no batsman at the other end to help him win the game. Marsa only managed 150 runs.

Sachin Naik was the most successful bowler with three wickets. The series at that point stood at one-all.

Marsa again won the toss in the third game on Thursday. Again they elected to field. North Sussex this time totalled 193.

Lowther top-scored with 52 runs. Leo Anderson made 29, Christopher Webb 28 and Naik 20.

For Marsa, Swift took three wickets to take his tally to five in the series.

Marsa again failed with the bat and only managed 113 with Sarfraz Ali top scoring with 26 runs. Robert Woodman was the main reason Marsa lost.

He took four wickets and North Sussex won the series 2-1.

Next Saturday, Marsa take on Melita in the Winter League.