The 2012 MCA Summer League came to a close last weekend with the match between Marsa and Overseas.
Still without a win in the competition, Overseas batted first looking to break their duck. They had an auspicious start when Phil Gibbs and Paul Bradley combined perfectly to put on a 57-run partnership before the latter retired, scoring 33 runs which included three fours.
Gibbs was soon out lbw after making his highest score of the tournament – 21 runs.
Mike Caruana also produced his best innings, scoring 46 (not out) from 29 balls and Alex Taylor batted well for his 19.
Jim Hunter added four runs and with extras Overseas chalked up the competition’s best batting performance – 155 runs. For Marsa, Justin Farrin Thorne and Tony Slater were the only wicket-takers.
Mark G. Sacco and Sam Aquilina gave Marsa an equally good start, putting on a 50-run combination before Sacco (35 runs) retired and Aquilina was caught for 20.
Sunny Krishna played a key role, scoring 32 runs (not out) which had the Marsa team on the edge of their seats as victory was now possible.
Slater added hope with 15 other points to Marsa’s tally but Overseas stood firm and held their opponents to 143 runs for a deserved victory which lifted them off the bottom of the classification.
Paul Bradley felled two wickets while Jim Hunter and Alex Taylor took a wicket each.
Final standings: Melita Betfair 56; Krishna 48; Marsa 37; Overseas 25; POP Mellieħa 20.
Meanwhile, last week Marsa CC took on the team from HMS Middleton.
The home side batted first and scored 120 runs in the 20-over encounter. Peter Boros top scored with 38 runs which included two fours.
In reply, HMS Middleston went for the runs and adopted a high risk approach which did not pay any dividends. They were bowled out for 63 runs, Mason being their top scorer with 27.
Also last week, the Malta Select team continued with their preparations for the European Championship in another warm-up match against The Rest.
A fine bowling performance by Chris Riorden demolished the Selection after a five-wicket haul.
The Rest had made 118 runs from their 20 overs. For them, Dhruv Duggal top scored with 44 runs.
Malta Select had only managed 88 runs with Dave Borg hitting the best score of 21 runs.