The new season of the MTBA National League, once again under the sponsorship of Middlesea Valletta Life Assurance, has rolled off at the Eden SuperBowl, St. Julian’s, for another six month campaign.

Newly crowned champions Aercomms picked up where they left off last season by climbing straight to the top of the pack with a 6 – 2 victory over the newly promoted HSBC side.

There were no full point victories in this first of 23 weeks, all six matches in fact finishing with similar 6 – 2 scorelines.

The other winning sides were; Sagio Investments (ex-Globalair) against Right Deal, Royal Shock against Redwell Heating (ex-Fina Excel), Faces (promoted from Div II) against Fina First and Sammy's Embroideries against La Spigola (ex-Swoosh).

Having won promotion as Div II Champions last season, HSBC must have hoped for easier opponents than new League Champions Aercomms for their first taste of Div I, but the luck of the draw was against them.

Aercomms, bolstered by the presence of transferee Dennis Mercieca, opened the scoring by taking the first game 779 – 685. All credit to HSBC however, as the newbies fought back to win game two 682 – 758 to draw level.

Aercomms only carried an eighteen pin advantage into the deciding third game so the match was still anyone’s for the taking. Aercomms made sure of the lion's share however, taking game three 809 – 742, and so the series points by 85 pins (2270 – 2185). Dennis Mercieca (Aercomms), 605. Ray Mifsud (HSBC), 560.

Right Deal drew first blood in their clash with Sagio Investments, narrowly winning the opener 771 – 757. But in a pattern featured in all six Div I matches, it was all square after game two which Sagio Investments took 691 – 768 to make it 2-all and give them a 63 pins edge for the last of the series.

Sagio made sure of the match victory with a 690 – 723 winner to make it 2 – 6 in their favour. Clive Saliba (Sagio Investments), 590. Colin Attard (Right Deal), 569.

Royal Shock took early control of their match against a weakened Redwell Heating side, who have lost some key players from their Fina Excel days, winning their first game 639 – 708.

But again things were on an even keel after Redwell Heating pulled level with a very close 715 – 710 second game equaliser. Royal Shock saved their best till last, and scooped victory with a good 818 in the last game against a poor 659 from Redwell Heating.

Joe Cassar (Royal Shock), 578. Doris Camilleri (Redwell Heating), 538 – Bowler of the Week.

The fourth 6 – 2 result fell in favour of newly promoted Faces against Fina First, who had two strong players (Sue Abela, Brian Farrugia) away on National Duty. It was Faces’ turn to open the scoring with a 750 – 698 win, but a 691 – 754 Fina win in game two meant it was 2 – 2 yet again.

Both teams had an up-and-down set, and it was Faces who were ‘up’ in game three as they won it 742 – 688, and so win the series points by 43 pins (2183 – 2140). Joseph Barbara (Faces), 542. Mark Muscat (Fina First), 642.

Vintage have also joined the top flight from Div II this season, and marked the occasion with a 6 – 2 win over Ramis.

Game one was Vintage’s highest and they won it 775 – 757, before Ramis bounced back to win game two 720 – 764 to equal their opponents.

The tables turned again in the third which Vintage won 754 – 641 to snatch the series by 78 pins (2249 – 2162). Angelo Dingli & Lawrence Bonnici (Vintage), 548. Roy Swift (Ramis), 578.

The final encounter between La Spigola and Sammy’s Embroideries finished in the latter's favour, 2 – 6 being the standard result for Div I’s opening week.

Sammy’s led after game one which they won 695 – 712, but inevitably it was 2-all after game two which La Spigola won 776 – 724.

Sammy’s secured the majority win with a 692 – 789 final win. Tony Paris (Sammy’s Embroideries), 549. Philippe Vancell (La Spigola), 658 – Bowler of the Week.

Standings

Middlesea Valletta Life National Division I, Week 1

Aercomms – 6, Vintage – 6, Sagio Investments – 6, Royal Shock – 6, Sammy’s Embroideries – 6, Faces – 6, HSBC – 2, La Spigola – 2, Ramis – 2, Right Deal – 2, Fina First – 2, Redwell Heating – 2

Bowlers of the Week

Philippe Vancell (658) La Spigola

Doris Camilleri (538) Redwell Heating