Stockport Grammar School win series 3-1

Last week, Marsa took on Stockport Grammar School in a four-game series. The visitors won the toss and elected to bowl in the opening game.

Marsa totalled 195 runs from their allotted overs. Nowell Khosla opened the innings and played a fine innings of 72, including eight 4s. The extras' 39 was the second highest score for the hosts.

Stockport made the required runs in the 32nd over to take a 1-0 lead as T. Radford led the way with a fine knock of 73 runs.

On Thursday, Stockport again won the toss, but this time they preferred to bat and totalled 227 runs with three batsmen making 50s - R. Wilson (52), M. Barrow (59) and A. Hope (50 not out).

Marsa replied with good batting but in the end fell short by 12 runs.

Ronnie Sacco scored 51 while M. Caruana (42), T. Wheeler (23), Mark G. Sacco (17) and R. Krishna (17) all chipped in.

Saturday's game saw Stockport batting first again.

A. Hope played a great innings, top-scoring with 71 runs not out in a total of 191. N. Ashraf was the main wicket-taker with three wickets.

The Marsa batsmen battled hard but all seemed lost when they were eight wickets down and six overs left to make 51 runs.

But, Ashraf then took the game away from Stockport, hitting 34 off 15 balls and Sacco 17 not out. Stockport two, Marsa one.

Finally, Marsa won a toss and elected to bowl first. However, Stockport made a massive 254 from their overs.

The Marsa batsmen were always going to struggle with the run rate but a fine effort from Ashraf and Wheeler kept the run rate steady.

With big totals to chase, risks are taken and the batsmen always pay the price. M. Caruana (28) and R. Sacco (24) looked to take on the run rate but did not succeed as Marsa only totalled 176 runs. Stockport won the series 3-1.

Next Saturday, Overseas take on Melita in the Summer League at 3 p.m. On Sunday, Marsa play Leyland Motors.