Aercomms’ recent rise to the top was brought to an abrupt halt in week 16 of the Middlesea Valletta Life National League, as arch nemesis team Fina First gave them an 8-0 hammering, adding insult to injury by snatching the top spot from them in the process.
There was also an 8-0 win for Sammy’s Embroideries over Redwell Heating, but it could be a case of too little, too late for the bottom side, and PharmaVet also took all eight from their clash with Royal Shock. In remaining matches, FireBalls added to their relegation worries with a 2-6 loss against Union Capital Group, and Ramis went down by the same margin against HSBC.
Prior to the second Fina-Aercomms clash of the season, defending champions Fina First trailed leaders Aercomms by just two points in the classification, so victory was the only thing on both teams’ minds in week 16. Game one was a cagey affair, both sides bowling steadily, the edge eventually going to Fina First 778-763. Game two was more clear cut, Fina winning 776-726 to make it 4-0.
Aercomms’ frustration was showing during the third of the set, as Fina First completed their hat-trick with a good 813-773 finale to claim a six point Div I lead. Brian Farrugia & Mark Spiteri (Fina First), 631, joint Bowlers of the Week. Dennis Mercieca (Aercomms), 591.
Sammy’s Embroideries pulled off the surprise of the week, rocking sixth placed Redwell Heating with an 8-0 beating. Sammy’s’ performance belied their lowly league position as they opened with a 753-687 winner, and then doubled their lead with a tight 726-718 game two victory.
A 758-735 result in the last of the series made it 8-0, however it was still not enough to lift the side from the foot of the table. Manwel Saliba (Sammy’s), 572. Joanna Attard (Redwell Heating), 654, Bowler of the Week.
PharmaVet (4th) scooped the third full-pointer of the week to keep up their hopes of a top three placing, at the expense of Royal Shock who now lie eighth.
The ‘Shockers’ had trouble putting their game together from the start as they went down 693-724 in game one, and then went 0-4 down after game two finished easily in PharmaVet’s favour, 670-783.
Royal Shock managed to top 700 in game three, but it was PharmaVet’s match, the latter winning 718-770 to round off the whitewash. Daniel Swift (PharmaVet), 569. Joe Cassar (Royal Shock), 531.
Union Capital stay third after the first of two 2-6 wins in week 16, FireBalls ending up on the losing side of the score line. Game one was quite abysmal for both teams, a disbelieving Union Capital winning it with a 650 game against a 634 from FireBalls.
There was a slight improvement in game two which saw FireBalls draw level by winning it narrowly, 725-714, and then Union Capital sealed the match win with a 677-750 deciding victory. Simon Burke (Union Capital), 549.
The second 2-6 result fell in HSBC’s favour, and to the detriment of Ramis. It was actually Ramis who made it onto the scoreboard first, taking game one 744-710 for the early lead, but it was all square after game two which HSBC easily won 692-790.
HSBC took a pin advantage into the third, and their 732-770 win gave them the majority match win. Marco Porsella Flores (HSBC), 597. Leli Baldacchino (Ramis), 555.
Standings: National Div. I
Fina First-98, Aercomms-92, Union Capital Group-68, PharmaVet-64, HSBC-62, Redwell Heating-62, Ramis-60, Royal Shock-56, FireBalls-40, Sammy’s Embroideries-38
Bowlers of the Week: Brian Farrugia (Fina First) 631; Mark Spiteri (Fina First) 631; Joanna Attard(Redwell Heating) 564