Krishna leads the way as champs beat Marsa

Winter League 2008 champions Krishna consolidated their lead at the top of the standings after beating Marsa last weekend thanks to a polished display that saw Kevin Krishna claiming five wickets.

Angelo Spiteri and Mark G. Sacco opened the batting for Marsa. Together they put 70 runs. Spiteri, on 35 runs, was first to go, being caught by Andy Naudi.

Ron Sacco joined his brother Mark at the crease and were still keeping the runs ticking at a run a bowl until the latter was stumped in unlucky fashion. The ball hit the keeper's pad and ricocheted into the stumps. He made 88 runs, hitting four 4s.

Ron was next to go, being brilliantly bowled by Kevin Krishna with the ball pitching and cutting back onto the stumps. He had made 16 runs.

Javed Shah was also bowled by Krishna, two balls later with a Yorker. Mike Caruana, on seven runs, was next out being caught by Pierre Naudi who leapt to his right and took the catch in mid-air.

All wickets at this point were all claimed by Kevin Krishna, five in all... a tremendous effort.

Sarfraz Ali and Darren Grech added a few more runs before they were skittled by Nowell Khosla. Dave Newton remained not out on nine with Wally Glynn on no runs as Marsa team totalled 132 runs.

The Krishna team batted well and showed why they won the Winter League title last year.

Khosla and John Grima opened the batting and put on a 114-run partnership. Khosla was the luckier of the two but remained not out with 72, including five 4s and two 6s.

Grima was close to making a 50, falling two runs short. Andy Naudi accompanied Khosla for the winning runs.

Spiteri was the only wicket-taker for the Marsa team.

With the win Krishna earned another seven points and lead the league ladder ahead of Marsa who finished empty-handed. The latter play Melita in their next match.