Winter League champions Melita Betfair took on a combined selection formed of the other two teams in the tournament in a thrilling match at the Marsa oval on Saturday.

John Grima and Ronnie Sacco opened the batting for the combined selection. The former was first to go, being bowled for two runs. Sacco suffered the same fate after four runs.

Next at the crease were Nadeem Butt and Derek Ali. They started to settle down nicely before Butt was stumped for 15 runs. Robert Krishna was also bowled for eight runs and Sarfras Ali for three as Mike Caruana made six runs before being caught and bowled and Adam Krishna run out for three.

Kevin Krishna remained unbeaten on one run and so was Derek Ali who had the best innings of his career, scoring exactly 100 with two 6s and ten 4s along the way. It was his first century and it was also the first scored this year.

For Melita, Nowell Khosla and Gordon Hewitt took two wickets each as the combined team totalled 166 runs from 35 overs.

Khosla and Joy Ghoseroy opened the batting for Melita and put on a 52-run partnership before both were out within three balls.

Anthony Roberts played a superb 39 runs before being bowled. Richard Rogers and John Rusher both made ducks and Dave Borg added nine runs. Will Nichols (11) and Robert Scerri (14) then brought their team close to victory.

Melita required five runs off 12 balls with only one wicket in hand when Anthony Slater played a daring straight drive, slightly uppish and was caught by the bowler which gave the selection victory.

Nadeem Butt, Ronnie Sacco and Adam Krishna all took two wickets.

On Saturday, the locals take on the first touring team of the season, Westfields Saint, of the UK.

Two 20-over games will be played, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.