Thirteen proved to be a lucky number for Aercomms, who snatched the Div I top spot with an 8-0 drubbing of PharmaVet, but unlucky for Fina First who lost their lead after a 6-2 beating at the hands of third placed Union Capital Group. There were also 6-2 victories for HSBC against bottom side Sammy’s Embroideries and Redwell Heating against struggling FireBalls. The clash between Royal Shock and Ramis ended in a stalemate as the Middlesea Valletta Life National League continues at the Eden SuperBowl.

Aercomms have played second fiddle to Fina First since the opening day of the season, and finally managed to knock them off the top spot thanks to their 8-0 beating of PharmaVet, while Fina suffered a 6-2 defeat. Aercomms showed sound playing consistency as the rout began with an easy 847-719 win. That was backed up with an 808-761 second game to double Aercomms’ lead, and they finished off with an 858-744 in game three for the 100% victory. Kenneth Arpa (Aercomms), 671, Bowler of the Week. Franco Ricci (PharmaVet), 541.

Fina First are now second, four points behind Aercomms, having lost 6-2 against Union Capital Group in week thirteen. Fina lost the low-scoring opening game 691-654, and then were 4-0 after losing game two 835-655, in spite of having brought star player into the fray to replace out-of-sorts Mark Muscat.

Game three saw a concerted effort from the defending champions, and they improved to a 685-829 win, but were still 73 pins short for the tie on the series (2,211-2,138). Union Capital Group remain third and are still twenty points down on Fina. Neil Sullivan (Union Capital Group), 639. Mark Spiteri (Fina First), 561.

Redwell Heating are in fourth place, and came out of their encounter with FireBalls as 6-2 winners. It was a close run affair in all three games of the series, Redwell opening the score with a 706-691 win in game one before FireBalls levelled it with a tight 727-732 win in game two.

Both sides picked up their game somewhat in the decider, which fell to Redwell Heating 767-750, handing them the match victory with their 27 pin advantage (2,200-2,173). Jackie Azzopardi (Redwell Heating), 560, Bowler of the Week. Valentina Bezzina (FireBalls), 535.

The third and final 6 point victory of the week was claimed by HSBC, Sammy’s Embroideries being the losing side. It was HSBC who were first on the score board with their 760-725 game one winner, but that effort was cancelled out by Sammy’s who bounced back with a good 781-839 equaliser.

The match was wide open as game three rolled off and it was HSBC who prevailed, their 796-721 closing win handing them the series points by 52 pins (2,337-2,285). Marco Porsella Flores (HSBC), 580. Sammy Borg (Sammy’s Embroideries), 613).

A four-all draw was the result of the final clash of the week between mid-table teams Royal Shock and Ramis.

Ramis only just clinched the very close first of the set, 768-771 the score, but then conceded a very slight advantage to Royal Shock who took game two 807-775. There wasn’t a lot between the two teams in game three either, Ramis winning it 795-811, but losing out on the series by a mere 13 pins to settle for the draw (2,370-2,357). John Balani (Ramis), 601. Pierre Yves Galea (Royal Shock), 641.

Standings - Division I, Week 13

Aercomms-80, Fina First-76, Union Capital Group-56, Redwell Heating-56, Ramis-54, HSBC-48, Royal Shock-48, PharmaVet-44, FireBalls-34, Sammy’s Embroideries-24

Bowlers of the Week

Kenneth Arpa (Aercomms) 671; Jackie Azzopardi (Redwell Heating) 560