The last of the regular fixtures of the Middlesea Valletta Life National League at the Eden SuperBowl saw title chasers Fina First knocked off the top spot due to a 6 - 2 beating at the hands of Sagio Investments, and an 8 - 0 win for Aercomms which puts the latter in the lead by just one point. The final 'position round' will see the teams play each other according their positions after week 22, meaning that Aercomms and Fina First will face off once again in what will surely be a tension filled clash for the championship. The top two spots can only go to Fina and Aercomms, while Sagio Investments are likely to hold on to the third spot.
Fina First held a five point lead going into their 22nd match of the season, knowing that they could have claimed the title with one week to spare providing the results went in their favour, and they got off to a positive start by winning the opening game against Sagio Investments 735 - 765. They were then pulled back down to earth by their opponents who made it 2 - 2 with a very tight 750 - 747 equaliser in game two. Sagio have proved a dangerous outfit on many occasions throughout the season, and their sound 796 - 685 win in game three made it 6 - 2 in their favour, Fina resigned to wait till the very last match of the season for their chance at glory. Clive Saliba (Sagio Investments), 577. Brian Farrugia (Fina First), 516.
Defending champions and arch rivals of Fina First, Aercomms, are not about to let a second consecutive title slip through their fingers, proving this with a convincing 8 - 0 thrashing of Sammy's Embroideries which puts them at the top of Div I, just one point ahead of Fina. Sammy's almost caught them out in game one which finally fell in Aercomms' favour, 699 - 684, but then game two saw the two sides separated by 111 pins, 815 - 704 the score line. Game three ended 768 - 698 to complete the whitewash, setting up a third and final final clash with Fina in the position round. Paul Baldacchino (Aercomms), 616, Bowler of the Week. Emmanuel Scerri (Sammy's), 517.
Ramis may have lost their chance to claim some silverware at the season's end by dropping two points in their majority win against La Spigola this week. The veteran side started strongly picking up an opening win of 810 - 747, and then doubling their lead with a good 788 - 696 in game two. They dropped to a low 701 in game three, beaten by La Spigola's 718 effort for a final result of 6 - 2. Ramis are eight points behind position night opponents Sagio Investments, but a 100% win would give them third place due to their higher total pinfall for the season. Leli Baldacchino (Ramis), 592. Alan Sammut (La Spigola), 549.
Other matches:
Vintage-Royal Shock 2-6
(681 - 729, 668 - 777, 753 - 720)
HSBC-Redwell Heating 2-6
(666 - 697, 669 - 772, 740 - 738)
Right Deal-Faces 4-4
(680 - 651, 700 - 792, 708 - 707)
Standings: (Week 22)
Aercomms - 117, Fina First - 116, Sagio Investments - 106, Ramis - 98, Right Deal - 93, Sammy's Embroideries - 92, HSBC - 92, Redwell Heating - 83, La Spigola - 78, Royal Shock - 75, Vintage - 62, Faces - 44
Bowlers of the Week: Paul Baldacchino (616) Aercomms;
Doris Camilleri (530) Redwell Heating