This first division of this competition, which is once again being sponsored by Island Beverages Co. Ltd, is now nearing its end. Four top local players are competing for the title, facing each other over two rounds.

With each participant having played five matches so far, Bulgarian player Boris Lalov (Msida Arrows BC) tops the provisional table with eight points. He has managed to preserve his unbeaten record, having won three of his fixtures and drawn the other two.

Stefan Salomone (B’Kara BC) lies two points adrift of the leader, with two wins and two draws on his record as well as a single defeat sustained in his recent direct encounter with Lalov.

Before their clash, Salomone and Lalov headed the table with equal points. They were therefore well aware that the victor would considerably increase his personal chances of securing the coveted title.

Both contenders played their heart out in an encounter characterised by high-level play. Both played an attacking game in a bid to secure a victory, as a drawn result would have been of little use to either one of them.

Lalov started well by taking the first set 21/12. Though Salomone reacted strongly in the second one, Lalov still managed to come out on top, clinching the set 21/16.

In the other match of the day, Kenneth Vella (Pawla Wolves Schtag) and Aldo Polidano (B’Kara BC) drew their fixture at the end of a balanced encounter.

It was Polidano who drew first blood, by taking the first set 21/17. However, Vella reacted promptly to this initial setback by winning the second one 21/14.

With a single fixture left to play, the Division One table presently reads as follows: Boris Lalov – 8 points; Stefan Salomone – 6; Kenneth Vella – 5; Aldo Polidano – 1.

The next fixtures in this division are scheduled for 27 June. Lalov will face Polidano, whom he has already defeated in the first round. A drawn result would be sufficient for the Bulgarian to take the title. In the other fixture, Salomone will play against Vella; their first round encounter had ended in a draw.

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