The Middlesea Valletta National League rolls on at the Eden SuperBowl, where Champions Fina First are holding on to a slim lead in Division I.

Their 6-2 against Royal Shock in week five however, was overshadowed however by a pair of full point victories, firstly for Union Capital Group over Aercomms, and secondly for Ramis over Sammy’s Embroideries which puts Ramis in second place just two points behind Fina First. There was a six point win for HSBC against FireBalls, while Pharmavet managed to hold Redwell Heating in a four-all draw.

Union Capital Group shot the series of the week in their 8-0 drubbing of last season’s runners up, Aercomms. The one-sided score line actually does an injustice Aercomms’ performance on the night as in fairness, they bowled the third highest series from the ten top flight teams.

But Union Capital were formidable, proving too strong for them as they took game one 844-793, and then making it 4-0 with a closer 812-787 win in game two. The stunned Aercomms side dropped to a low third game, while Union Capital were over 800 again, 806-717 the score which rounded off the whitewash. Union Capital Group take third place with this epic win, nudging Aercomms into fourth. Mark Bugeja (Union Capital), 648, Bowler of the Week. Dennis Mercieca (Aercomms), 586.

Ramis also put together a sound 8-0 victory at the expense early Div I strugglers Sammy’s Embroideries, claiming second place for their efforts. The opener was a close game, falling to Ramis by just nine pins, 747-738, and they soon doubled their lead with an easier 827-765 win in game two.

Game three was low for both sides, Ramis winning it by 30 pins (699-660) to confirm the 100% win. Benny Hili (Ramis), 582. Tony Paris (Sammy’s Embroideries), 591.

Leaders Fina First dropped two points in their clash with Royal Shock, thanks to a low final game which allowed Royal Shock their quarter share of the spoils. Fina started strongly with a good 841-772 result, and were over 800 again to double their lead with an 825-783 victory in game two.

Royal Shock may have already resigned themselves to an 8-0 beating at the hands of the Champs, but it wasn’t to be as Fina rolled a low 711 against ‘the Shockers’ 734 which handed them their two points. Brian Farrugia (Fina First), 597. Clive Farrugia (Royal Shock), 581.

HSBC also scooped six points from their match against FireBalls in spite of a shaky opening defeat, and currently lie fifth. The confrontation between Pharmavet and Redwell Heating ended in a 4-4 stalemate, Pharmavet’s good game two victory determining the shared result. Redwell won game one and then Pharmavet fought back with an 802-675 leveller in the second.

Game three fell 747-755 to Redwell Heating, but Pharmavet were better over the series (2,253-2,165) thanks to their second game, to force the draw. Doris Camilleri (Redwell Heating), 584, Bowler of the Week. Danial Swift (Pharmavet), 579.

Standings - Division I, Week 5

Fina First-32, Ramis-30, Union Capital Group-26, Aercomms-24, HSBC-22, Redwell Heating-18, Fireballs-14, Royal Shock-12, Pharmavet-12, Sammy’s Embroideries-10

Bowlers of the Week

Mark Bugeja (Union Capital Group) 648; Doris Camilleri (Redwell Heating) 584