Last Sunday Marsa C.C played against touring team Ashford C.C from England who are on their second tour to the island. On their last tour Marsa won the series two to nil.

Marsa won the toss and elected to bowl first. Marsa bowler Jeya Krishna struck in his first over bowling opening batsman Chris Evans. His opening partner R.Ford was soon to follow being well caught by Sunny Krishna for eleven runs. W. Sabestian was soon back in the pavilion being caught for six runs. Then a match winning partnership of ninety nine runs came from Paul Frost (eventually out for sixty three runs) and Gareth Evans (eventually out for 72 runs). Only Shaun Cousins (13 runs who had to retire hurt after pulling a leg muscle) and Chris White (eleven runs) were able to make it into double figures. Aided with twenty extra runs the tourists totaled 206 runs. Chris Naudi was the main wicket taker for Marsa taking three wickets. Jeya Krishna and Sunny Krishna also chipped in with two wickets each.

Marsa’s reply was shocked by the opening bowlers. K.Lambert taking the wickets of Tim Wheeler, Joy Ghoseroy and Mark G.Sacco for eight runs, four runs and a duck respectively. J.Knill the opening bowler also chipped in with the wickets of J.Shah (duck) and Sam Dhandapani (4 runs). This good bowling left Marsa struggling at five wickets down for 32 runs. A ray of hope came with the 60 run partnership between Chris Naudi (33 runs) and Ronnie Sacco (49 runs not out). Once Naudi was out Sacco could not find a partner to stay with him and Marsa were bowled out for 143 runs. W.Sabestian also took two wickets for the tourists. Ashford won the first of a four-game series.

Next Saturday the nursery will be open from 9.30am till 11.30am and the fourth game of the Victor Miller Memorial Trophy will be played at 12pm.