The Middlesea Valletta Life National League has now seen its 16th fixture at the Eden SuperBowl, St Julian’s, where Aercomms are still sitting pretty at the top of Div I, 23 points ahead of nearest rivals Fina First. Both teams claimed 6-2 wins this week, and there was also a six-point victory for Veltins, who displaced unlucky opponents Fina Excel in fifth place as a result. In other Matches, Alley Catz took all eight from Storm, Right Deal lost 2-6 at the hands of Ramis (3rd), while the Blues Brothers and Royal Shock drew 4-all in their bottom of the table clash.
Veltins put in the biggest team score of the week in their win against Fina Excel, their 2,430 tally being largely down to Sue Abela who clocked a brilliant 678 series (242-227-209). Their biggest game was the opener which went to Veltins with a score of 770-856, and they must have been thinking all eight were in the bag as they also won the second with an 824 game against a valiant 781 effort form Excel.
The Fina side had other ideas, however, and kept up the pressure to clinch game three by 25 pins (775-750), enough for a two point share but well short of the match tie (2,326-2,430). Sue’s performance naturally made her player of the match, as well as bowler of the week, and Brian Farrugia took 586 pins for Fina Excel who are now sixth.
Aercomms stay a big 23 points clear with their 6-2 beating of Globalair Travel in week 16, and again lost out on the 100% victory with a defeat in the last game of the set. Game one started evenly and could have gone either way, eventually going to Aercomms 755-734. Game two was their best as they won it easily 815-754, and then it was Globalair’s turn in game three which they claimed 732-781, thanks maybe to a little complacency from the leaders. Aercomms took the series points by 33 pins (2,302-2,269) and their best man was Mark Bugeja (sponsor of the losing side!) on 619, while David Debono shot a 601 for Globalair Travel.
Fina First stay second after their 6-2 result against The Rascals, a reversal of fortunes in game three handing the latter their quarter share of the points. Game one was a close one, but Fina First were just able to clinch it in the final frame with only 12 points separating them, 750-738 the score. Game two was a very different matter, Fina tearing into The Rascals from the first shot, crushing them with an 823-620 win. Game three was when The Rascals pulled their best game out of the hat to snatch two points, winning it 693-783 to stop their opponents from gaing ground on the leaders. Dennis Mercieca rolled a strong 619 set for the winners, and only Lawrence Bonnici could breach the 500 mark for The Rascals, on 547 pins.
Ramis stay third just four points down on Fina First after also scooping six points from their match against Right Deal (8th) this week. Neither team impressed during the confrontation as the game scores progressed (Right Deal-Ramis): 642-651, 649-719, 695-693, the losing side claiming two points by a mere two pins in the third, but losing out on the series pins by 77 pins (1,986-2,063). Only two of the eight players managed 500+ series, Ian Galea making a 503 for Ramis, and substitute Pam Demanuele putting together a 506 for Right Deal.
The Alley Catz were the only Div I side to win all eight points in week 15, 9th placed side Storm the unlucky losers.
The two bottom sides, the Blues Brothers and Royal Shock played a 4-4 draw, the former picking up the series points to force the draw with a big 807 second game win.
Standings – Div. I, Week 15
Aercomms-99, Fina First-76, Ramis-72, Globalair Travel-68, Veltins-66, Fina Excel-64, Alley Catz-64, Right Deal-60, Storm-46, The Rascals-42, Blues Brothers-32, Royal Shock-31
Bowlers of the week
Dennis Mercieca (Fina First) and Mark Bugeja (Aercomms) 619; Sue Abela (Veltins) 678.