Only the ‘position night’ remains of the MTBA National League being played at the Eden SuperBowl, both rounds now completed. After an explosive 22nd week featuring a controversial 8-0 win for Aercomms against New Blood, and a tense 4-4 draw between Fina Excel and Fina First, the latter are now just one point ahead of Aercomms at the top of Division I.

The two are set to meet for a final showdown to decide the league title, in the position night, when teams will play according to their placing prior to the position night, in that first place meet second, third meet fourth and so on.

The top three spots are guaranteed to go to these three teams, but none of the positions are as yet secured, as Fina Excel can still steal second place should the results go in their favour.

Aercomms pre-played their match against New Blood (4th), claiming all eight points to put yet more pressure on Fina First who were hoping to be able to claim the league title with one week to spare.

New Blood never created any serious threat for the defending champions, who started off with an 810-749 opener, and then game two followed suit by falling 786-743 in Aercomms’ favour. The whitewash was completed with a 784-699 third game, full points for Aercomms. Kenneth Arpa (Aercomms), 694. Lawrence Bonnici (New Blood), 546.

The second Fina derby of the season was played this week. Fina First already aware that Aercomms had all eight points in the bag, and Fina Excel still in with a chance and in no mood to do any favours for their sister team.

It was a nightmare beginning for the leaders, as Fina Excel pipped them by just ten pins (739-729), but Fina First were soon level with a good 740-831 win in game two.

A strategic line-up change for Excel to include latecomer Mark Spiteri for the final game put the cat among the pigeons, his presence helping Excel on to a massive 903 against Fina First’s 842 effort, which would have been a game winner in any of the other seven fixtures.

Although Excel had the best of the games, Fina First’s big game two victory meant that they took the series points by just twenty pins to force the draw (2382-2402). Brian Farrugia (Fina Excel), 660. Sue Abela (Fina First), 693.

The only other Div I match of any significance was that between Sammy’s Embroideries and Globalair Travel, the former losing it 2-6 to finally lose their battle for survival. Their fate was basically sealed as game one progresses, Globalair winning it 711-777.

Sammy’s came back to draw level with a 747-716 win in game two, but that was small consolation as they lost the third 735-779, already certain of joining O’Caseys and Fireballs in the drop to Div II. Clive Saliba (Globalair Travel) 599. Manwel Saliba (Samm’s Embroideries), 540.

In the remaining matches, where there was nothing at stake for any of the teams involved, Ramis (5th) took all eight points from seventh placed Interwetten Alley Catz, Right Deal (8th) won 6-2 against Storm II (9th), as did Fireballs against O’Caseys in the bottom-of-the-table clash.

Standings – Division I, Week 22

Fina First-129, Aercomms-128, Fina Excel-121, New Blood-106, Ramis-102, Globalair Travel-93, Interwetten Alley Catz-84, Right Deal-74, Storm II-70, Sammy’s Embroideries-56, Fireballs-51, O’Caseys-42

Bowlers of the week

Kenneth Arpa (Aercomms) 694; Sue Abela (Fina First) 693