The MTBA National League has now completed its 16th from 23 weeks at the Eden SuperBowl, where title probables Fina First suffered a shock 6-2 defeat against bottom side Fireballs.
Many teams seemed to struggle with a new lane condition put down on the night, but second placed Aercomms managed a good 2-6 victory against Globalair Travel with the highest team series of the week, and there were similar scorelines for Ramis against Storm II, strugglers O’Casey’s over Fina Excel and also New Blood against Right Deal. The clash between Alley Catz and Sammy’s Embroideries ended in a FOUR-all draw.
Relegation near-certs Fireballs pulled off a near miracle in week 16, by pulling of a giant-killing win over the mighty Fina First who look set to run away with the league championship.
The leaders seem to have a bogey against the struggling sides, having already suffered an 8-0 thrashing against Sammy’s Embroideries this season, and this week it was Fireballs’ shot at the glory as they stepped up to win the first game of the series 762-710.
Fina First looked like they may come back to roll over the underdogs as they came back to win the second by 100 pins (672-772) to take the pinfall advantage, but they then stumbled to an abysmal 666 in the final game against a 725 winner from Fireballs. That tipped the match in the latters’ favour by just 11 pins on the series (2,159-2,148) to give them the match, against all odds. Dean Micallef (Fireballs), 542. Matthew Caruana (Fina First), 570.
No such trouble for defending champions Aercomms, however, who faced Globalair Travel and found little difficulty in walking off with the lion’s share of the points.
There was another surprise result in the match between Fina Excel (4th) who were beaten by 11th placed O’Caseys-6-2 again the final score.
Third placed New Blood were also 6-2 victors in their encounter with marginal side Right Deal, who remain hovering above the drop-zone.
Ramis came out on the better end of the fifth and final 6-2 result of the week, Storm II the unlucky losing outfit. The clash between Alley Catz and Sammy’s Embroideries finished in a 4-4 draw.
Standings – Div. I, Week 16
Fina First-103, Aercomms-92, New Blood-86, Fina Excel-83, Ramis-78, Alley Catz-70, Globalair Travel-67, Storm II-48, Right Deal-48, Sammy’s Embroideries-40, O’Caseys-30, Fireballs-23
Bowlers of the week
Kenneth Arpa (Aercomms) 637; Pam Demanuele (O’Caseys) 588.