Week five of the MTBA National League at the Eden SuperBowl saw table toppers Fina First extend their lead with a 6-2 win against Fireballs, while chasers Ramis could only manage a draw against Storm II. In a week when none of the 12 Division I teams could manage a full point win, there were also majority victories for Aercomms and New Blood, as well as Fina Excel, the three teams occupying the third to fifth positions respectively.
Fina First’s comeback season continued this week as they saw off Fireballs with a 6-2 win, although the result could have very easily gone the other way due to extremely close second and third games.
Second placed Ramis hold their position in spite of their draw with Storm II (9th), but they drop two points on leaders Fina First in the process. After winning the first of the set 738-796 and also the second 771-777, Ramis may have been confident of at least a six-point victory.
Defending champions Aercomms stay third, having also scooped six points from their match against Globalair Travel. It was Globalair who took the early lead by winning the opening game 738-753, but Aercomms were quick to draw level as they took game two 767-759.
Globalair held only a minimal lead on pinfall from the first two games so the match was still up for grabs as game three commenced, but Aercomms pulled the game of the night out of the bag, winning it 859-752 to assure themselves of victory. Kenneth Arpa (Aercomms), 627. Raymond Farrugia (Globalair Travel), 608.
It was 6-2 again in the encounter between Fina Excel (winners) and struggling O’Caseys.
Fina Excel showed their superiority in the deciding third game, which they clinched 799-673 for the match win. Mark Spiteri (Fina Excel), 616. Nikolai Borg (O’Caseys), 575.
New Blood are still in fourth place, emerging 2-6 victors from their clash with Right Deal who are now eighth.
The second 4-all draw of the evening happened in the match between Sammy’s Embroideries amd Alley Catz.
Standings - Division I, Week 5
Fina First-36, Ramis-34, Aercomms-32, New Blood-32, Fina Excel-29, Alley Catz-22, Globalair Travel-16, Right Deal-12, Storm II-10, Fireballs-9, Sammy’s Embroideries-4, O’Casey’s-4
Bowlers of the Week
Ramon Casha (Fireballs) 636; Jenny Swift (Storm II) 572.