A depleted Melita team failed to build on the previous week’s convincing win over Marsa as they were beaten by leaders Krishna in another Winter League match at Marsa last weekend.

Melita had Dave Borg, Simon Lavedar, Justin Brooke, Justin Farrin Thorne, Will Pettit and Pierre Naudi missing, making their task even more difficult to outsmart their opponents.

Melita batted first and after an over-and-a-half, all players rushed back to the pavilion after a heavy shower hit the ground.

Melita were comfortable with the situation as a tied or washed out game would earn each team three points each.

However, after 15 minutes, play resumed.

The rain made it hard for Melita to bat and they were bowled out for 53 runs.

An indifferent bowling spell for Sid Anand came to the fore. He took four wickets but also managed to bowl seven wides in his six-over spell.

Tony Slater’s bowling produced two maidens and he took two wickets for nine runs. Mike Caruana took one wicket.

Sumair Khan was the most successful batsman, top-scoring with 17 runs and hitting the only two boundaries of the innings.

Extras tallied for 18 points as Matt McKeogh, playing his first game for Melita, remained unbeaten with four runs.

Melita needed early wickets to have any chance and they succeeded in felling four which earned them one point but to no avail as Krishna soon secured victory with John Grima hitting 22 runs, including two boundaries.

Puneet Gupta added eight, Andy Mitchell five, John Rusher two and Sid Anand four. There were 16 extras.

The Krishna team gained 10 points for the win.

The two teams have met three times so far with Krishna winning twice.

Next Saturday, Krishna take on Marsa in another league match.