Saturday 4 May - MCA takes Kwik-Cricket to Skolasport

The MCA's drive to introduce Cricket in the Skolasport's Programme is on its way. The Government's Weekend Sporting Events, organised by the Ministry for Sport & Youth, will finally include "Cricket" in its programme commencing from October 2002. The MCA took the opportunity to introduce the game of Kwik-Cricket to their younger group aged 8-11 years. Some 75 boys & girls, together with their sport instructors, joined the Marsa C.C. at the Marsa Sports Club for a 2‡-hour morning session. Unfortunately, the Chairman's camera broke down, so we were unable to record this event on polaroid. By the time he got it working, the youngsters were on their way home.... as the only photo taken will show!

Three of the MCA's cricket instructors put the kids through the techniques of fielding, catching, throwing, batting & running. The eye-hand co-ordination shown by the youngsters was generally very good, and some of the boys displayed a high standard of competitiveness. It was the first time that these kids had played the game.... and they all were extremely disappointed when 'time' was called.

Saturday 4 May - Nets-Practise for the Seniors

Following the departure of the Skolasport youngsters, the seniors took to the nets for a hard practise session. Encouraged by the inaugural Sunday cricket match between the two local clubs, i.e. Marsa CC& Melita CC, the home team warmed up for the challenge ahead.

Sunday 5 May - Inaugural 1-Day Match between Marsa CC & Melita CC

Melita CC captain, Tim Wheeler, won the toss and promptly asked Marsa to bat. This decision back-fired as Marsa attacked from the start. Averaging 7 runs/over, Marsa openers Callus & Ali punished every loose delivery. Callus raced to 45 before he was run-out, caught in two minds whether to pinch a quick single. Ali kept his concentration to play the classical supporting role. He was eventually caught at mid-on for 21. Melita's spinners managed to cut the rate back to 5 by the 20th over. But Dhandapani and Marsa captain Caruana cautiously saw off the spinners and opened up to the seamers. They pushed the rate back up to 6.5 an over and a partnership of 171 runs. Dhandapani eventually fell to a superb catch at longish mid-on for 61, having just survived a run-out when, on reaching his half-century, he danced down the crease in celebration before the ball was 'dead'. Caruana, on the other hand, stayed the course to finish on 103 not out. He followed a determined first 50 with a punishing second half-century. Marsa ended their 40-over innings on 268 for 3.

After lunch, it was Melita's turn to reply. Sadly, they found Marsa's bowlers too hot to handle on this day.... only three batsmen just managed to get to double-figures. Young Naudi's pace (2 wkts.) and Llewelyn's hanging seamers (4 wkts.) completely foxed the visitors as they struggled to get bat-to-ball. Together they destroyed any chances of a Melita fight-back.... as they were reduced to 78 all out in 28 overs.

Melita will be back to fight another day and hope that their nerves will be kept in check next time. Despite this one-sided affair, the match was played in very good spirit and the umpires were given a very pleasant outing. To mark this most important event in the recent history of the game in Malta, a presentation was made to the Vice-President of the Malta Olympic Committee, Julian Pace Bonello, of an autographed cricket bat of the National Squad that placed 3rd in the ECC Trophy in Vienna last year. Julian will ensure that this bat is properly displayed in one of the MOC's show-cases.... the start of a new collection of sporting regalia at their HQ.

So, this year's European Cricket Weekend marked a turning-point for local cricket.... the start of many encounters between the two clubs. This must be good for all!!