A four-all draw for Fina First and a 6-2 victory over Ramis for Aercomms, allowed the latter to shave two points from Fina’s lead of Div I, the results coming from week 19 of the current MTBA National League at the Eden SuperBowl.

With four weeks of fixtures still remaining, Fina are still a hefty 11 points clear and look almost certain to claim the league title, this week’s draw against Interwetten Alley Catz surely a mere hiccup along the way.

In other matches Fina Excel also won 6-2 against New Blood, while there were 100% wins for Storm II over O’Caseys, and bottom side Fireballs against Sammy’s Embroideries. The clash between Globalair Travel and Right Deal produced the second draw of the evening.

Aercomms’ winning series against Ramis proved to be the highest of the week in the top flight (2,333 pins), although the scores fluctuated from one game to the next. They won game one with a convincing 821-711 score line, but the match was levelled with a 727-766 win for Ramis in game two. Aercomms were up again in the final game which they claimed 785-733 to take the match by 123 pins (2,333-2,210). Paul Baldachino (Aercomms), 655. John Balani (Ramis), 563.

Fina First’s lead slipped from 13 points to eleven as they could only manage a draw against Interwetten Alley Catz (6th). Fina got of to a cracking start as they easily won the opener 860-702 but then their game began to slip as the Catz managed to draw level with a 731-748 winner in the second game. Fina First were very thankful for their high scoring first game, as that was what eventually earned them their equal share, with Interwetten Alley Catz clinching game three 694-763, but staying 72 down on the series (2,285-2,213). Mauro Anastasi (Fina First), 648. Nicky Sammut (Interwetten Alley Catz), 562.

Fina Excel stay third after their 6-2 beating of rivals New Blood (4th), just three points shy of Aercomms in second place. Excel took the first game by the narrowest possible of margins (707-706), before New Blood made it 2-2 with their 726-797 equaliser in game two. It was in the decider that Fina Excel produced the game of the night, a gigantic 870 against their opponents’ 724 effort, which meant the match win was in the bag thanks to a 76 pin advantage on the series (2,303-2,227). Mark Spiteri (Fina Excel), 617. George Ferris (New Blood), 584.

Storm II are in 8th place, and move further away from the drop-zone after a good 8-0 victory against unstable O’Caseys in week 19. The latter have been forced to rely on a series of substitutes throughout this their debut season in the top flight, and they look set to make a swift return to division II at the end of the season. The game results progressed ; 818-718, 684-627, 787-709. Neil Sullivan (Storm II), 570. Nikolai Borg (O’Caseys), 532.

League losers Fireballs clinched a rare 8-0 win over tenth team Sammy’s Embroideries, but this is very probably a case of too little, too late for the unlucky outfit made up largely of keen youth bowlers. Then won the first of the set 670-609 and then took game two 722-687. The whitewash was sealed with Fireballs’ 698-685 win in the third. Valentina Bezzina (Fireballs), 546.

Globalair Travel lost the first two games of their series against Right Deal, but still managed to hold on to an equal share of the points. Right Deal won game one 671-726, and then doubled their lead with another win in game two which ended 662-685. A Right Deal win seemed to be on the cards, but Globalair bounced back to take the final game 733-659 thus claiming the series points by just six pins (2,076-2,070), to force the draw. Colin Attard (Right Deal), 560. Simon Burke (Globalair Travel), 577.

Standings – Division I, Week 19

Fina First-117, Aercomms-106, Fina Excel-103, New Blood-98, Ramis-92, Interwetten Alley Catz-82, Globalair Travel-77, Storm II-62, Right Deal-54, Sammy’s Embroideries-46, O’Caseys-38, Fireballs-37

Bowlers of the week

Pablo Baldacchino (Aercomms) 655; Sue Abela (Fina Exel) 586