Marsa level series with Staffordshire

Over the weekend, Marsa Cricket Club played against the first touring side of the year, Staffordshire University CC.

On Saturday, the University batted first after a rain-delayed start. Two early wickets swung the game in favour of the home team.

N. Pryce and M. Hale played well with Pryce top scoring for his team with 77 runs. Hale was second best scorer with 23. The only other batsman who made it into double figures was M. Sibart with 13 runs. The University totaled 190 runs after their allotted overs. For Marsa six bowlers took a wicket each.

The Marsa batting was not at its best with only three batsmen reaching double figures - Sam Dhandapani (29 runs), Ronnie Sacco (13) and Sagar Krishna (11). Marsa only managed 113 runs and lost by 77 runs. For the visitors four bowlers, M. Kelly, M. Kimboz, M. Sibart and R. Gillard, took two wickets each.

On Sunday, the University won the toss and elected to bowl first. M. Reid took two early wickets which had the home side struggling at 17 runs. M.G. Sacco and M. Caruana met at the crease and put on a much-needed partnership of 84 runs.

Sacco was bowled for 32. Caruana top scored for the home side with 84 runs including 11 fours. Javed Shah made an entertaining 48 including five fours and two sixes. Marsa accumulated 254 runs from their 50 overs. For the University, J. Tabord took four wickets and M. Reid three.

Staffordshire had a good start until Ronnie Sacco ran out G. Curtis with a direct hit. T. Evans top scored with 39 runs. From then on the University struggled with the run-rate. Dave Newton devastated the middle order, taking four wickets, to emerge as Marsa's best bowler.

Only Reid showed resistance, making 17 runs. The visitors totaled 133 and lost by 121 runs. The series was drawn at 1-1.