Les Wandering Maniaques were the latest team to visit the Maltese Islands. A touring team of former Charterhouse School boys, the tourists were given a warm Maltese welcome and went home victorious just as their counterparts, the Charterhouse Friars did, earlier this year in the Malta T20 Crossfire Cup.
In the first of two matches, The Maniaques batted first and reached an impressive 156 for 4 from 20 overs with Charles Wright top scoring with 56 runs from 33 balls. Opener John Best compiled a well-made 42. For Marsa, Kalki Kumar was the most successful bowler with 2 for 12.
Marsa went about their chase in impressive fashion with keeper-batsman John Grima scoring 34 off 35 balls before he became Logan Jory’s third scalp. Sean Byrne (28) and Kalki Kumar (22) swung the match in Marsa’s favour before the home side managed to snatch defeat from the hands of victory, by finishing a tantalising 10 runs short, on 146 for 7. Jory and Angus Carnegie-Brown were particularly impressive when it counted for the Maniacs.
In Sunday’s encounter, the Maniacs once again batted first and reached 151 for 9 from their allotted 25 overs. Angus Carnegie-Brown timed the ball beautifully. He notched up his 52 runs in only 44 balls and received welcome support from Logan Jory (26) and Charles Wright (20). For Marsa, Sean Byrne (2 for 13) and Sarfraz Ali (3 for 20) were the major wicket-takers.
Masa’s reply got off to a calamitous start with Lucas, Hajela, Rusher, Grima and Maclean dismissed before the scoreboard reached 50. Sean Byrne showed his all-round character by digging in and scoring a richly deserved 41 before he became the impressive Ammar Khan’s only wicket. Ultimately, it was to be Carnegie Brown’s day. His 4 wickets for 17 topped off an excellent all round display and sealed victory for the Maniaques by a comfortable 32 runs. Captain Max Ronnie also pitched in with 3 wickets for 44.
This brought to an end an enjoyable series for all involved with Angus Carnegie Brown being voted the Player of the Series.
Result: Les Wandering Maniaques CC won the series 2-0
Umpires: Les White, Andrew Naudi and Paul Bradley.
Scorers: Eric Balakrishnan and Paula Calleja
Scorecards:
Game 1 – Marsa v Catalunya Federation (T20)
Game 2 – Marsa v Catalunya Federation (40 overs)
Game 3 – Marsa v Catalunya Federation (40 overs)