None of the top spots are yet decided in the Middlesea Valletta Life National League, in which just two regular fixtures plus the final ‘Position Round’ remain at the Eden SuperBowl.

Aercomms still seem firm favourites to regain the league title, but Fina First could still upset them if the results go the right way. Only those two teams can still claim the top spot, but Fina Excel (3rd) and Ramis (4th) are both still mathematically capable of stealing second place. Ramis were in fact 6-2 losers against Aercomms in week 20, while both Fina First and Excel also managed to pick up six point wins against Sammy’s Embroideries and Royal Shock respectively.

At the opposite end of the division, Fireballs’ relegation to Div II was mathematically confirmed in spite of their 2-6 win over Right Deal.

Aercomms are proving very hard to catch in these late stages of the current season, with chasers Fina First only able to mimic their match results in recent weeks. This week proved no different as the top two picked up similar 6-point wins, starting with Aercomms’ beating of third placed Ramis.

The first of the set was a real gripper, with Aercomms coming out on top by just three pins to open the scoring (812-815), and then doubled their lead to 0-4 with a more convincing 704-778 winner in the second. Ramis almost forced a draw in game three which they won 790-725, but this left them just 12 pins behind on the series (2,306-2,318) and so victory fell to Aercomms. Rankin Camilleri (Aercomms), 623-Bowler of the Week. Leli Baldacchino (Ramis), 618.

Fina First blew their chances to draw closer to Aercomms by dropping a sloppy two points against Sammy’s Embroideries in the final game of their match. A full point victory looked on the cards as Fina took the opener 725-773, and also game two by an much greater margin (631-774).

It was then that Sammy’s stole their two point share with a 757 winner against Fina’s poor 710 final effort, keeping the outgoing Champs fourteen points shy of Aercomms. Dennis Mercieca (Fina First), 610. Leli Scerri (Sammy’s), 544.

It was another case of ‘could do better’ for Fina Excel who also stumbled at the last hurdle in their clash with Royal Shock. Excel powered over the Shockers in the first two games which looked more like a team training session, game one ending 813-699 and Excel making it 4-0 with a 799-705 winner in the second.

They then totally lost the plot in game three, rolling a 711 to give a two-pin reward to Royal Shock for their 720 effort. Mark Spiteri (Fina Excel), 597. Pierre Galea (Royal Shock), 562.

Swoosh are another team who are almost down and out, thanks to their 0-8 hammering at the hands of fifth placed New Blood this week.

Globalair Travel’s Div I safety is yet to be confirmed, but was aided by their latest 1-7 win against Interwetten Alley Catz. The encounter was a close one throughout, with Globalair taking the opener 691-708, before the teams shared the points in game two which was tied 717-717. Game three fell 705-708 to Globalair to secure the victory. Malcolm Pace (Globalair Travel), 522. Philippe Vancell (IW Alley Catz), 580.

Standings - Division I, Week 20

Aercomms-136, Fina First-122, Ramis-112, Fina Excel-106, New Blood-76, Royal Shock-74, Right Deal-72, Interwetten Alley Catz-71, Globalair Travel-65, Sammy’s Embroideries-46, Swoosh-42, Fireballs-38

Bowlers of the week

Rankin Camilleri (Aercomms) 623; Doris Camilleri (Fina Excel) 583