Marsa draw series with newcomers Wiseton

Last weekend, Marsa played against first-timers Wiseton who were brought over by Globalair Travel to take part in a two-game series.

On Saturday, Wiseton won the toss and elected to bat first on a rainy day. L. Peatfield opened the batting, scoring 16 before being bowled out. S. Ward had 28 runs while Steve Marshall scored 15.

A middle-order slump had the visitors in trouble. Sam Marshall picked up the revival with 12 runs and R. Wyles top scored with 46 not out. The visitors totalled 161 runs from their allotted overs.

For Marsa, Kevin Krishna was the main wicket-taker with three.

Opening the batting, John Grima racked up a patient 48 runs before being caught. Joy Ghoseroy scored 29 and Brooke 31.

Marsa looked in a comfortable position to win but Peatfield had other ideas, taking the last four wickets that stumped the home side three short of their target.

Sarfraz Ali scored 16 not out but could only look on in horror as his team-mates lost their wickets.

Wiseton won the game and stopped a four-match winning streak for the home side.

On Sunday, Marsa won the toss and elected to bat. Both openers were out in the third over of the innings. Ronnie Sacco and Chris Naudi put on an 82-run partnership before Naudi was run out for 38 runs from 37 balls.

Another two quick wickets fell and the home side were struggling at five wickets down for 110 runs from 24 overs. Nadeem Ashraf joined Sacco at the crease and produced a magical innings of 54 runs from 35 balls.

Sacco was finally caught for 63 as the home side scored 228 runs.

Marsa were inspired by a super catch from Tim Wheeler in the slips which was Ashraf's second wicket from a total of four top-order batsmen. Sacco backed up his batting performance with a four-wicket haul. The visitors were bowled out for 117 runs and Marsa squared the series one apiece.

This weekend, Marsa take on new touring team Mezica Kriket Klub from Slovenia in a two-game series. Both games will start at 10.30 a.m.

On Saturday, academy activities will be between 9.30 and 11.30 a.m.