This season’s Premier Division title of the H2Only Mixed League was to be assigned at the end of a five-match series between the top two local clubs – Pawla Wolves Schtag and Birkirkara BC.
Three fixtures had been played so far. After confidently opening a 2-0 lead, the Wolves unexpectedly faltered at the third hurdle and B’Kara promptly profited from their adversaries’ hesitancy to reopen the title race.
With the overall series at 2-1, the fourth encounter was open to any outcome. A second consecutive win for B’Kara would have aptly set the stage for the final showdown between the two clubs.
But the Wolves were in no mood for mercy. They determinedly made the fourth encounter their own to open an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series and put this season’s national title definitely beyond their opponents’ reach.
As evidenced by the final score, the match was a balanced affair. B’Kara won the Men’s Singles and Men’s Doubles games through Stefan Salomone and Aldo Polidano. Pawla Wolves Schtag replied by taking the Ladies’ Singles and Ladies’ Doubles through Didi Rasamayii and Catherine Dimech.
The match was therefore decided in the final Mixed Doubles in which Catherine Dimech/David Cole defeated Rachel Attard / Robert Salomone in two straight sets (21/19 – 21/7) to seal the issue and secure the title for the Wolves.
First Division
The H2Only Mixed League includes also the First Division competition in which three teams are striving for the title, with each fixture consisting of two Singles and two Doubles matches.
Pawla Wolves Three-You-Design served Shuttles BC with their second consecutive defeat of the season. The explicit 4-0 score line clearly reflects the technical difference between the two sides, which the Shuttles vainly tried their best to offset.
Martin Camilleri, Edmond Abela, Patrick Cassar and Austin Compagno brought the match home for the Paolites, who now share the top spot in the First Division table on equal points with B’Kara BC.
The H2Only Mixed League will continue on the 4th April with the First Division encounter between B’Kara BC and Pawla Wolves Three-You-Design; more information can be obtained by accessing www.badmintonmalta.org