The Middlesea Valletta Life National League enjoys it’s short summer recess, with Aercomms having secured their well deserved Div I title with ease, having led the classification for the best part of the Winter season. Aercomms always had the competitive edge over the ever present challenge from the illustrious Fina First outfit who finished in second place, while third place was claimed by the experienced Ramis side. The teams to be relegated from Div I are Sammy’s Embroideries, Swoosh and Fireballs, while the three sides to replace them from Div II are HSBC, Vintage and Faces.

Aercomms had nothing to prove in their positional clash with defeated champions Fina First, and in fact lost 0 - 8 in this their final fixture of the season, the title already safely in the bag for the Aercomms stars. This was much to Fina’s pleasure as they were still battling to hang onto second place in the face of a season long challenge from Ramis. Fina First showed their true mettle by rolling a fantastic 2428 total as the thrilling series progressed, 770 - 812, 853 - 860, 749 - 756.

The result secured the silver position for Fina, and produced a solid 638 effort from Aercomms’ Kenneth Arpa, and a good 611 from Fina's darling of the lanes, Sue Abela.

Ramis were guaranteed nothing less than third place before their position round clash with Fina Excel, their advancement totally dependant on Fina First’s performance against Aercomms. Ramis managed a good 6 - 2 over the consistent Excel side but it was to be no more than a bronze placing for the Ramis vets in the light of Fina First’s brilliant final performance. Ramis lost game one 713 - 746, but then bounced back to beat Excel 765 - 748 and 828 - 637 for the majority win. Thus the top spots were cast, with Aercomms enjoying their secong league title from three, Fina First the discontented runners up, and the experience rich Ramis formation claiming third place, with the hope of better things to come.

At the other end of the Div I classification, relegation had already been confirmed for Sammy’s Embroideries, Swoosh and Fireballs. The latter pair ended the position round with a 4 - 4 draw (808 - 823, 806 - 695, 759 - 808), while tenth placed Sammy's Embroideries won 2 - 6 against Globalair Travel.

Div II’s league leaders HSBC were already sure of the top spot before their final meeting with Vintage, so the final result of 0-8 in Vintage’s favour was of little consequence other than to assure Vintage of second place. The HSBC side are a disciplined and professional side, and well deserve their place in the top flight. Vintage join HSBC in the new first division, along with Faces who are also promoted, winning 6-2 over fourth placed O’Casey’s in the final round. Relegated from Div II are Wasadol in tenth place, Bank of Valletta in eleventh, and Highlanders in the bottom spot.

Touch of Class won Division III and so earn promotion to Div II, along with The Clan and Teens in second and third respectively. Final positions of all National League divisions are detailed below.

The New Middlesea Valletta Life National Leagues commence in mid-July, and applications are invited from any new teams interested in taking part. Log on to http//www.mtba.cjb.com for all details and entry forms.