Defending Champions Fina First were the only Div I side to take all eight points in week fifteen of the Middlesea Valletta Life National League going on at the Eden SuperBowl.

A four-all draw between leaders Aercomms and Redwell Heating meant that Fina were able to close Aercomms’ advantage to just two points after these results. In other games there were six point victories for PharmaVet against FireBalls and Royal Shock over HSBC, while Union Capital Group also took six from their confrontation with Sammy’s Embroideries, who are fighting a losing battle with relegation.

After a couple of weeks watching a high-rolling Aercomms side take over and increase their lead of the top flight, Fina First came back with a good 8 – 0 week fifteen win to tighten the classification right up again, nestling in two points below the top spot. Fina’s unfortunate opponents were Ramis who will settle for a mid-table finish this season. They began with a one-sided 789 – 711 match opener, and then doubled their lead with a huge 911 – 749 win in game two, the highest team game of the season to date, scratch or with handicap.

The match was already in the bag but there was one game left, which fell to Fina with a much closer 779 – 760 score line. Mark Spiteri (Fina First), 649. Leli Baldacchino (Ramis), 576.

Leaders Aercomms were kicking themselves during this week’s fixtures, watching arch rivals Fina pick up two easy game wins, while they failed to score against Redwell Heating over the first two games. Redwell started with a 747 – 798 win, and then went 0 – 4 ahead by taking game two 713 – 719.

Aercomms were rocked into action by their poor showing, and produced a match levelling 841 – 715 in game three to clinch the series points by 69 pins (2301 – 2232). Joanna Attard (Redwell Heating), 596, Bowler of the week. Kenneth Arpa (Aercomms), 630.

Bottom side Sammy’s Embroideries need nothing short of a miracle to survive the drop, after going down 2 – 6 to Union Capital Group this week. Ironically it was the bottom side who drew first blood, taking game one narrowly 781 – 770, but they were soon disadvantaged by a 692 – 842 equaliser from United Capital in game two.

Game three was better again from Sammy’s, nut their opponents were too strong, taking it 767 – 832 to make it 2 – 6 on the series due to their 204 pin advantage (2240 – 2444). Mark Bugeja (Union Capital Group), 664, Bowler of the Week. Tony Paris (Sammy’s Embroideries), 607.

Division I safety is moving closer for PharmaVet and Royal Shock, both of whom picked up 6 – 2 wins this week against Fireballs and HSBC respectively. PharmaVet were 0 – 2 down early in the encounter thanks to FireBalls’ opening 735 – 772 win, but it was all PharmaVet from then on as they netted consecutive wins of 810 – 726 and 847 – 740 to take the series by 154 pins (2392 – 2238). Colin Attard (PharmaVet), 622. Dean Micallef (FireBalls), 577.

Royal Shock won the first of their set 754 – 698, but were then stunned by an excellent 778 – 859 equalising game from HSBC to go 2 – 2. They responded with a good solid 843 to HSBC’s 717 closing game, thus taking the set with a 101 advantage (2375 – 2274). David Fenech (Royal Shock), 625. Marco Porsella Flores (HSBC), 569.

Standings – Middlesea Valletta Life National Division I, Week 15

Aercomms – 92, Fina First – 90, Union Capital Group – 62, Redwell Heating – 62, Ramis – 58, HSBC – 56, PharmaVet – 56, Royal Shock – 56, FireBalls – 38, Sammy’s Embroideries – 30

Bowlers of the Week

Mark Bugeja (Union Capital) - 664

Joanna Attard(Redwell Heating) - 596