Chelsea Arts gain first win in Malta

Last weekend, Marsa took on returning team Chelsea Arts who last toured in 2004.

On Saturday, the Marsa team batted first. John Grima and Andy Naudi opened the batting. Grima was the first to go being bowled by Nicholls for 29 runs. Tim Wheeler then joined Naudi and together they put on 69 runs.

Wheeler was next out making 23 runs being caught by the wicket keeper Paul Cook from the bowling of Luke Hickey. Naudi went on to make 100 runs scoring nine fours and a six along the way.

Javed Shah hit 26 runs from 25 balls before being caught. Ronnie Sacco battled hard and fell short of 50 runs, making 48 including six fours. He was caught by Hickey off the bowling of Andrew Hancock who also took the wicket of Thomas Rusher.

Anthony Roberts made 13 runs. Marsa totalled 254 runs from their allotted overs.

In reply, the visitors, in attempt to keep up with the run rate, went for risky shots and paid the ultimate price of being bowled out for 99 runs. Steve Cole top-scored with 30 runs and Hickey made 23.

For the Marsa team, Tony Slater bowled very well taking three wickets as did Derek Ali. Wheeler and Sacco both took two wickets each. The Marsa team went 1-0 up in the series.

On Sunday, the visitors had some injured players and Nowell Khosla and John Grima filled in for them. Again the Marsa team batted first and this time were bowled out for 172 runs.

Joy Ghoseroy scored 52 runs and Malcolm Crabbe 51 as the main scorers. Khosla was the main wicket taker with four. Charles Hickey took two wickets, Luke Hickey and Andrew Hancock took a wicket each.

In reply, an opening partnership of 122 runs between Luke Hickey and Grima sealed the game for the visitors.

Hickey was caught after making 60 runs. Grima remained 71 not out and Henry Dodson made 30 not out. This was Chelsea Arts’ first win in Malta and also squared the series.

Meanwhile, more matches from the Summer league will be played on Saturday while the first women’s cricket game – Falcons vs Alligators – at Marsa will take place the following day. The exhibition match starts at 10.30 a.m.