Marsa break Leyland duck

Over the weekend, Marsa played against returning touring team Leyland from the United Kingdom.

On Saturday, the home team batted first. A very good bowling performance kept the home side to 62 runs from 22 overs and losing John Grima (six runs), Joy Ghoseroy (11 runs), Tim Wheeler (nine runs), Nowell Khosla (17 runs) and Simon Mayeri (seven runs).

Derek Ali came in and restored some respectability to the innings, scoring a fine 54 runs including four fours and two sixes. Mike Caruana supported with 11 runs not out.

The Marsa side totalled 160 runs from their allotted overs. Owen Leeds was the main wicket taker with three for the visitors while Karl Cross, Gareth Leeds, Monty Cottam and Dale Vardy all took a wicket each. The Marsa bowlers also bowled extremely well and dismissed the visitors for 115 runs, Mark Thompson top-scoring with 36 runs.

Cottam, with 17 runs, and Nathan McDonald (11) were the main scorers. For Marsa, Caruana was the main wicket taker with three. Andy Naudi and Joy Ghoseroy took two wickets each. Nowell Khosla and Kevin Krishna took one. The Marsa team drew first blood.

The next day, the Leyland team batted first. Again the Marsa bowlers put on an excellent exhibition, bowling the visitors out for 95 runs. I. Farrington led the scoring with 25 runs and Cross 22.

For Marsa, Ronnie Sacco was the main wicket taker with four, Khosla took three while Gordon Hewitt, Adam Krishna and Caruana all took a wicket each. In reply the Marsa team did not lose any wickets with the opening pair making all the runs.

Khosla scored 67 runs including four fours and three sixes. Mark G. Sacco made 22 and there were eight extras. Marsa went 2-0 up.

Last Thursday, the two teams played a twenty over game. Leyland batted first and totalled 115 runs, Cottam top-scoring with 22 runs. For Marsa, three bowlers, Khosla, Justin Brooke and Sacco all took two wickets each.

The Marsa team were bowled out for 79 runs. Sam Aquilina and Caruana were the top run scorers with 15 runs each. Cross and Gareth Leeds were the main wicket takers with two each. Leyland won the game.

This was the first time in five attempts that the Marsa team defeated Leyland in a series.