Costly drop for Overseas as Marsa remain unbeaten

Last weekend, Marsa, maintained their unbeaten run in the Summer League after stopping Overseas's streak of two successive wins.

Overseas won the toss and opted to bat. Ronnie Sacco bowled the first over but Grant Williams was up to the task and fired 52 runs including eight 4s.

Williams, however, was caught in the deep by Sacco after returning to bat. Opening partner Mike Smith played back to Sacco's delivery which struck him on the pads. He was given LBW for five runs.

Jonathan Tully made 15 runs and then came a good combination from Keith Abernathy and Richard Newbould. Abernathy was bowled for 15 from a partnership of 70 runs. Newbould finished on 52 not out.

Marsa had 20 wides and extras totalled 35. That helped Overseas post a high score of 178. For Marsa, Sacco took three wickets while Mike Caruana took two.

Marsa's reply started off badly and lost the first wicket of the innings. David Newton made seven runs before being bowled. But, Alan Kyle batted well for 52 and Caruana also made 52 runs.

He was given a chance when hitting a ball high into outfield which the fielder should have caught but fumbled and dropped the catch. Caruana had only eight runs at the time.

Indeed, that was a costly drop and would have made a big difference in the outcome of the game.

Sacco and Jeya Krishna finished off the remaining runs with 21 and 10 not out respectively.

Overseas also bowled too many wides, 35, besides 39 extras as Marsa made the required runs at the end of the 16th over.

Mike Smith was the only bowler to take wickets, two in all.

Marsa took nine points from the game and now they are looking favourites to win the league with 45 points. Overseas are second, only two points clear of Krishna who had to forfeit the points on Saturday after awarding Melita a walkover.

Krishna's squad was plagued with injuries.

On Saturday, Marsa play Krishna and Melita then face Overseas.

Standings

Marsa (5 - 45); Overseas (5 - 21); Krishna (5 - 19); Melita (5 - 12).