Over the weekend the three game series against The Forty Club who are on their third trip (not second, once in 2002 and the other in 2005), came to an end.

The first game was played last Sunday in the 20-over format. The Marsa team batted first.

A great innings by George Agius of 58 runs set up a reasonable total for the Marsa bowlers to defend. Bikram Arora scored 26 runs, while Nadeem Ashraf and Frank Spiteri chipped in with 12 and 10 runs respectively.

For the Forty Club N.Gray was the main wicket taker with three wickets while D.Innes took one.

The reply from the visitors was always steady with five batsmen making it to double figures, R. Hope (11 runs), R. Smith (10), D. Smith (13), I. Krunic (15) and R. Hickman (11).All were good starts but none went on to make big scores.

Justin Farrin-Thorne was the main wicket taker for Marsa with three, while George Agius, Nadeem Ashraf and Ronnie Sacco all took one a piece.

The second game on Saturday (40 overs) had the home team batting first again.

Dave Borg opened the batting and was punishing any bowling which was short pitched and hit seven fours and a six along the way to 51 runs. John Grima played a very useful innings of 46 runs.

A great and short innings came from newcomer Dhruv Duggal who smashed 29 runs from 17 balls including two sixes and two fours. Sarfraz Ali shipped in with 15 runs also including a six. The final score was of 174 runs from their allotted overs.

For the Forty Club, D. Innes, R. Hickman and E. Andersen all took two wickets each while P. Owens took one.

The reply from The Forty Club was steady even after losing two early wickets too the bowling of Adam Krishna.

S. King scored 38 runs, I. Krunic 33 runs and R. Hope 18 runs. The bowling of Sarfraz Ali and Mike Caruana changed the game towards the home side, both taking two wickets each. Marsa take a two-nil lead in the series.

On Sunday the third game was played where this time the visitors batted first and made 145 runs in their 40overs. The Marsa team were able to make the runs within30 overs with Bikram Arora and Derek Ali being the main scorers.

The Marsa team whitewashed The Forty Club.

Tomorrow the 40-over winter series begins. Also the Sunoco Cricket Academy/nursery will be from 9am till 10.30am.

On Sunday the cricket open day at the Marsa Sports Club will be held from 10am till 2pm in aid of ‘Gurnata Mill Qalb.’