Fourteen weeks of the MTBA National League have now been completed at the Eden SuperBowl, with a further nine weeks still remaining. Fina First re-established themselves as firm leaders with one of two 0-8 wins this week, theirs coming against O’Casey’s, having been previously drubbed by a similar score line by Sammy’s Embroideries.
The second 100% win went to Fina Excel, who took an easy eight from bottom side Fireballs. There were also wins for Globalair Travel who beat New Blood 2-6, and it was the same story for second placed Aercomms who beat Right Deal by the same margin.
Fina First were able to put their previous week’s heavy beating behind them with a strong performance against eleventh placed O’Casey’s. They began with a 765-805 victory to go forty points ahead, and that was stretched to 181pins after a 658-799 win in game two. It was all over bar the shouting by now and Fina First rounded off the hammering with a 761-842 win in the third, claiming their 0-8 win with the team series of the week (2,446). Sue Abela (Fina First), 715. Pam D’Emanuele (O’Casey’s), 552.
Fina Excel were the only other team to take all eight in week 14 against out-of-luck Fireballs. Excel opened with a 730 against their opponents’ 679, and were soon four points ahead with a 760 in game two, against a pitiful 629 from Fireballs. The whitewash was completed with a 742-773 result in game three, the big win pushing Fina Excel up to third place. Rankin Camilleri (Fina Excel), 590. Keith Bugeja (Fireballs), 542.
Chasers Aercomms picked up a six point win against Right Deal, but again showed some inconsistency. The came out all guns blazing with a 812-873 victory in the first game, but then had that cancelled out with a poor 686 in game two against a winning 751 from Right Deal. Aercomms pulled it back with a good 701-737 win in game three which handed them the series points by 132 pins (2,264-2,396). Paul Baldacchino (Aercomms), 634. Daniel Swift (Right Deal), 563.
2-6 was also the score in the match New Blood vs Globalair Travel, the winners moving up a spot to fifth as a result. The first two games were painfully close, game one going to Globalair Travel by 5 pins (758-763), before New Blood levelled it by winning the second by a mere two pins (737-735). So the match was up for grabs in game three, wherein Globalair managed to take control, claiming the lion’s share with a 718-766 win. David Debono (Globalair Travel), 571. Tony Paris (New Blood), 580.
The remaining two confrontations both ended in 4-all draws, the first being that between Alley Catz and Storm II. The opener was a very scrappy game, Alley Catz hardly able to believe their luck as they drew first blood with a poor 650 against an even poorer 637 from Storm II. Things improved in game two with Storm II equalising in style with a 696-851 winner. Alley Catz rallied to win game three 790-750, but Storm II took the series points by 102 pins to force the draw (2,136-2,238). James Mallia (Alley Catz), 537. Neil Sullivan (Storm II) 593.
The second tied match was Sammy’s Embroideries vs Ramis, Sammy’s claiming the draw with a better series thanks to a big win in game three. They narrowly lost game one 684-697, and then went down 662-699 in game two. Their saving grace was a 794-722 winner in the third to tip the series 22 pins in heir favour (2,140-2,118). Charles Farrugia (Ramis), 536. Giancarlo Tolu (Sammy’s Embroideries), 568.
National League Div I now takes a short break next week, while the Eden SuperBowl hosts the eighth annual international Malta Senior Open.
Standings – Div. I
Fina First-94, Aercomms-78, Fina Excel-73, New Blood-72, Globalair Travel-65, Ramis-60, Alley Catz-60, Storm II-45, Right Deal-44, Sammy’s Embroideries-36, O’Caseys-24, Fireballs-17
Bowlers of the week
Paul Baldacchino (Aercomms) 634; Sue Abela (Fina First) 715.