Over the weekend, Marsa entertained new touring team from the UK Cross Keys CC, in a two-game series.

On Saturday, Cross Keys were put in to bat in a 40-over match.

Unfortunately for them, Marsa wicket-keeper John Grima played one of his best games this season, taking two catches and five stumpings in the innings.

Seven of the wickets fell to the slower bowlers while the quick-developing youngster Adam Krishna took the other three. The visitors were bowled out for 142 runs in 34 overs.

J. Abrahams held the innings together, showing patience and skill on his way to a 70 with only three boundaries.

On the contrary, B. Shribman scored 21 runs which included five fours. Indeed, Marsa were re-lieved when his wicket fell.

Apart from extras, which totalled 28, no other batsman made it into double figures. Gordon Hewitt also took three wickets while Sarfraz Ali and Joy Ghoseroy took two apiece.

In reply, the home team were in a bit of an early shock when they lost the wickets of Sid Anand (one run), John Grima (ten runs) and John Rusher (no runs).

Zubair Raja and Joy Ghoseroy launched Marsa’s rally though and both men scored 19 runs each.

Haroon Majeed (29) and Nowell Khosla (12) then guided the home team to victory.

On Sunday, the visiting team batted first again in a 20-over game.

They fared better this time and scored 133 runs.

Abrahams top-scored again with 29 runs. Shribman added 26, H. Worthington 24 and A. Gold 18. For Marsa, Frank Spiteri took two wickets.

It took the home side 16 overs to make the required runs. Frank Spiteri hit 61 runs and took the game away from Cross Keys. Haroon Majeed and Ranjit Gokarn both scored 16 runs as Simon Lavendar added 10, Puneet Gupta nine and there were 25 extras.

Marsa won the game and the series 2-0. Next Saturday they play Spartacus XI, another new team touring the islands this season.