Marsa CC entertained the first touring team for the year, England’s Beckenham CC, in a two-game series at the oval, last week.

A 20-over game was played on Friday.

The visitors batted first... if one can say they batted as only three batsmen ventured to the middle.

The opening batsmen made a partnership of 93 runs of which Chris Isles hit an incredible 64 which included eight boundaries and three sixes.

His partner ended up making 70 not out and K. Wulff 46 runs.

That score was topped up with 14 extras for an overall 194 runs.

For Marsa, Sumair Khan was the wicket-taker. Frank Spiteri bowled four good overs and only had 17 runs taken off them.

It was great to see the Marsa batsmen fight out the game till the end.

Nowell Khosla (20 runs), Haroon Majeed (23), Frank Spiteri (51), Bikram Arora (25) and Andy Naudi (25 not out) all had good starts. Only Spiteri was able to give hope for a win until he was run out.

Chris Naudi chipped in with 12 runs and Ronnie Sacco made four. There were 30 extras and the home side were short by five runs for victory. For the visitors, Isles, Wulff, Jack Baritt and Terence McDowell all took a wicket each.

On Saturday, Beckenham again batted first, James Evans scored a brilliant century (110) which included 13 boundaries. He batted for 33 overs.

Isles was again in the runs making 76, this time at batting position number seven. Beckenham scored a total of 256 runs. Joy Ghoseroy took two wickets for Marsa.

In reply, the Marsa team were bowled out for 166 runs.

Derek Ali and extras were the top scores with 33. A notable innings came from the blade of John Rusher who made 30 runs which included four boundaries.

No bowler is safe when they put it there for the cover drive. Haroon Majeed made a quick 27 runs and Sarfraz Ali chipped in with 21.

For the visitors, Duncan Spencer, J. Bilimoria, Tom Smelt and Terence McDowell took two wickets.

Beckenham won the series 2-0.

The final of the Winter Wallop tournament between Marsa Magpies and Melita Bees will be played on Saturday.