Marlon Attard 7th at the Junior ISSF World Cup Sydney 2018

Junior Gozitan Skeet shooter made his debut overseas with flying colours this week as he placed 7th overall at the Junior ISSF World Cup in Sydney, Australia.

The local youngster managed 22,21,24, followed by a perfect straight of 25/25 and 23 for a total of 115/125, missing a place in the final stages by only one clay.

The Gold Medal was won by Dou Xuyang from China with 58/60 in the finals, being a World Junior Record in Skeet.

The Silver was won by Chiti Matteo from Italy with 52/60 and the Bronze went to Sodi Niccolo, also from Italy, with 42/50

Attard will soon be shooting again in Australia where he will be representing Malta together with William Chetcuti, Nathan Lee Xuereb, Brian Galea and Eleanor Bezzzina at The Com- monwealth Games Gold Coast 2018.

A brilliant unbeaten 164 run partnership between Essex openers Paul Wakefield (87*) and Sanjeev Sood (71*) proved to be in vain as Yorkshire Ridings coasted to victory with 15 balls to spare. The Essex pair increased the run rate throughout the innings and withstood some very tight bowling early on by Ridings’ Tony Evans, Andy Mackie and Derek Chapman.

In reply, Riding’s recovered from the early loss of Alan Lees with Neville Alan and Dave Fairbank contributing 58 for the second wicket.Gary Orrell joined Alan and together they put on an unbeaten 88 runs to seal the win for the Yorkshiremen.

Player of the Match: Paul Wakefield

Umpires: Joy Ghoseroy and Barry Toombs

Scorer: Eric Balakrishnan

Monday 26 March

Match 3 Berkshire beat Kent & Surreyin

An impressive batting display by Warwickshire’s top order saw them defeat Essex by 130 runs. Duncan Gardner (54), Kevin Bissett (33) Richard Cooper (45*) and Steven Healey (44*) pummelled the Essex bowling to all parts of the Marsa oval as they reached the imposing total of 235 for 5 from their allotted 30 overs.

For Essex, Carey Harbone was the major wicket-taker with 3 for 32.

Essex lost their captain Paul Wakefield early and never recovered to make any sort of challenge to the Warwickshire score. Ian Selby (49*) and Sanjeev Sood (22) were the main contributors as they ended their innings on 105 for 7.

For Warks, Duncan Gardner rounded off a fine all-round display capturing 2 for 10 from 6 fine overs.

Player of the Match: Duncan Gardner

Umpires: Keith Boyalland Barry Toombs

Scorers: Ethan David Murphy Xuereb

Standings after Day 2

and

1) Warwickshire 2 2) Berkshire - Played 1 - Won 1 3) Yorkshire Ridings - Played 1 Won 1 4) Essex - Played 2 - Lost 2 5) Kent & Surrey - Played 2 Lost 2

- Played 2 Won