The summer season of the Middlesea Valletta Life National League has commenced at the Eden SuperBowl, St. Julian’s, and after two weeks the lead is shared by new champions Aercomms and Union Capital Group who have both managed to scoop all 16 points available.
Fina First are in third place on 14 having dropped two points in their majority victory in week two against top flight debutants NINE., while QF Ltd (Ex-Swoosh) are lying fourth on twelve points. PharmaVet are the only Div I outfit yet to score at this very early stage of the season which will see nineteen weeks of great competition.
Week One
Aercomms snatched the title from under the noses of Fina First in thrilling style at the end of last season, and certainly seem to mean business in their campaign to make it two in a row. They demolished week one opponents Ramis 0-8 with game scores of 794-821, 765-899, finishing with a stunning 697-908 win in game three to complete the rout. Dennis Mercieca (Aercomms), 697. Benny Hili (Ramis), 579.
Fina First were also big winners, shooting a massive 910 opener against PharmaVet’s 808, and then clinched the second and third games with 797-704 and 849-757 games respectively. Brian Farrugia (Fina First), 696. Steve Cassar (PharmaVet), 619.
Union Capital Group were the other side to clinch all eight on day one, newly promoted NINE feeling the force of their attack as the games progressed; 740-801, 764-831 and 672-736. Mark Bugeja (Union Capital), 681. Nathan Brimmer (NINE), 615.
QF Ltd took six points from HSBC to go fourth, in spite of losing their opening game 818-793. They picked up their game to win the second 677-843 and then the third 736-768 to clinch the series points by 173 pins (2231-2404). Philippe Vancell (QF Ltd), 608. Bertram Vella (HSBC), 577.
Game one ended in a 773-all draw between Redwell Heating and Royal Shock, with Redwell then taking the advantage with a 787-721 win in game two. They then suffered a heavy 683-833 defeat in the last of the set which game Royal Shock the series by 84 pins (2,243-2,327). Vince Magri (Royal Shock), 606. Shawn Bugeja (Redwell Heating), 585.
Week Two
Another high scoring victory for Aercomms over HSBC keeps them on top after week two, ahead of Union Capital only due to their better pin total. HSBC looked like mere 'also rans’ as Aercomms tore into them to easily win all three games 694-833, 681-813 and 713-867 respectively. Paul Baldacchino (Aercomms), 676. Bertram Vella (HSBC), 522.
Union Capital second full-point win came against bottom side PharmaVet. The latter were never really in the running as the games fell in their opponents’ favour; 781-731, 841-731 and 797-736. Mark Muscat (Union Capital), 657. Ramon Stafrace (PharmaVet), 551.
Undaunted promotees NINE stunned Fina First by snatching two points from them in game two of their clash. Fina took the opener 705-881, but NINE came back at them with a brilliant 845 against Fina’s 800 effort to level the match before Fina made it 2-6 with a 750-821 clincher in game three. Brian Farrugia (Fina First), 684. Nathan Brimmer (NINE), 579.
QF Ltd stay fourth with another six point win against Redwell Heating in week two. Again they were down after game one which went to Redwell 791-734, but they came back to win the next two 688-730 ant 667-707 for the match (series 2,146-2,171). Philippe Vancell (QF Ltd), 545. Joanna Bugeja (Redwell), 546.
Royal Shock and Ramis shared the eight points on offer in their match which was tied. Royal Shockwere thankful of their initial 782-731 win, as Ramis went on to just take the second 721-722, and then the third 763-784 to lose the series points by 29 pins (2,266-2,237). Joe Cassar (Royal Shock), 639. Lawrence Bonnici (Ramis), 638.
Standings-National Div. I Week 2
Aercomms-16, Union Capital Group-16, Fina First-14, QF Ltd-12, Royal Shock-9, Redwwell Heating-5, Ramis-2, HSBC-2, PharmaVet-0