Fina First, Ramis, Aercomms forge ahead

The sixth week of the MTBA National League has been completed at the Eden SuperBowl, where the race for glory has already reached break-neck pace. There were eight-point wins for the top three Div. I teams, namely Fina First, Ramis and Aercomms respectively, while just below the pack, New Blood collected six points against Sammy’s Embroideries, Fina Excel had a similar victory against Globalair Travel, and Alley Catz scooped all eight against pushover side O’Casey’s.

Fina First belied any doubt as to their form or intentions this season as they ripped apart a stunned Right Deal side with a 0-8 thrashing, and also collected the team series of the week to boot (2,476 pins). The Fina aces were already a massive 180 pins ahead after game one which they took 665-845 (including an excellent 279 from Mauro Anastasi), and then added another 120 to their insurmountable advantage with a 683-803 win in game two. Game three was merely a formality, nobody expecting the punch-drunk Right Deal side to make any impression on the match, and Fina claimed it 697-828 to confirm the 100% victory. Matthew Caruana (Fina First), 641. Melissa Camenzuli (Right Deal), 546.

Ramis are two down on Fina with 42pts, but kept the pressure on with another full pointer aganst Fireballs this week. The Fireball youngsters were unlucky in game one which was a real humdinger and probably the most exciting single game from all sis matches, finishing 816-822 in Ramis’ favour. Game two was much more subdued in comparison, falling to Ramis 748-784, but it was very tight again in game three, Fireball’s last chance to take anything away from the match. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be as Ramis claimed it by just three pins, 751-754, but Fireballs will justifiably feel that they should have taken something away from the encounter. Jon Balani (Ramis), 595. Dean Micallef (Fireballs), 569.

There were another eight points for Aercomms against Storm II in week six, the defending champs staying third on 40pts. Storm II certainly are a Div. I quality side, but currently lie just above the relegation zone. With the bulk of the season still ahead of them they can pull themselves up through the standings, but will have to put in some better performances than they did this week which saw them lose all three games: 683-710, 724-770, 743-760. Mark Bugeja (Aercomms), 630. Paul Gray (Storm II), 561.

The fourth and final 100% in week six went to Alley Catz (sixth) against bottom side O’Caseys. The Catz were never under any serious threat by their adversaries, as they won the opener 653-728 and then took game two with ease, 725-802 the score line. Game three went to the Alley Catz 668-775 to complete the rout. Philippe Vancell (Alley Catz), 601. Nikolai Borg (O’Caseys), 587.

Fina Excel got the better of Globalair Travel in a 6-2 scoreline, putting in a couple of high games to secure the series points. Excel were first on the scoreboard with a 781-753 win in game one, but Globalair then levelled it in the thrilling second which finished 821-861 in their favour. The match was still in the balance going into game three, and it was Fina Excel who took up the running, with an excellent 850 winner over a 734 from Globalair.

That meant the series points went to Excel thanks to their 104 pin advantage (2452-2348). Brian Farrugia (Fina Excel), 670-bowler of the week. Clive Saliba (Globalair Travel), 649.

The sixth and final week six clash resulted in fourth placed New Blood beating Sammy’s Embroideries (11th) by six points to two. New Blood claimed game one with an 809-pin broadside to Sammy’s 720 effort, and then backed that up with a closer 734-708 win in game two. Sammy’s Embroideries hadn’t given up the ghost in spite of their disadvantage, and managed to salvage a two point share of the spoils by winning the third game 726-769. Tony Paris (New Blood), 608. Manwel Saliba (Sammy’s Embroideries), 564.

Standings – Div. I, Week 6

Fina First-44, Ramis-42, Aercomms-40, New Blood-38, Fina Excel-35, Alley Catz-30, Globalair Travel-18, Right Deal-12, Storm II-10, Fireballs-9, Sammy’s Embroideries-6, O’Casey’s-4

Bowlers of the Week

Brian Farrugia (Fina Excel) 670; Sue Abela (Fina First) 587.