The Malta Cricket Association Winter League commenced on Saturday with holders Krishna playing Marsa in the opening match.

Krishna won the toss and elected to bat first. Nowell Khosla and Mark G. Sacco opened the batting. Sacco was bowled on the first ball he faced by Dave Newton but Khosla went on to retire after 24 balls (local rule) on 36 runs.

Derek Ali also retired making 38 runs, his tally including four 4s and a massive 6. John Grima added 22 from 23 balls before being caught and bowled by John Farrugia.

Sam Aquilina batted well for 16 runs before being bowled by Darren Grech. Pierre Naudi was caught by Grech for four runs and Kevin Krishna made eight runs before being bowled.

Adam Krishna remained not out with two runs and Carole Neto Grima was also not out on zero as Krishna totalled 130 runs from the allotted 20 overs.

Sarfraz Ali and Chris Naudi opened the batting for Marsa.

The Krishna bowlers did well to keep the scoring low and they also took wickets.

Sarfraz Ali was first to go for three runs, being bowled by Derek Ali, and soon to follow was Tony Azzopardi who was caught by sub-fielder Tony Slater for two runs.

Naudi went on to retire and made 18 runs as Javed Shah added 16 from 16 balls before being stumped by John Grima.

Mike Caruana scored eight runs from eight balls before playing on to his stumps. Dave Newton made 12 runs, John Farrugia 10, Ronnie Sacco was 24 not out and Grech was also not out on one run when the allotted overs were finished.

Marsa had only managed 105 runs and Krishna started their title defence in style, chalking up eight points for the victory while Marsa had to settle for one.

Next Saturday, Krishna take on Melita Betfair at 10 a.m. Nursery activities start at 9 a.m. while coaching for over 17s will be from 10.45 to 11.45 a.m.