The Middlesea Valletta Life National League has run through week twelve at the Eden SuperBowl, where Fina First have stretched their lead nine points in Division I, thanks to a full point victory against Royal Shock.
Second placed Aercomms also won, but dropped two points in the clash with bottom side Redwell Heating, as did third team Union Capital in their win over Ramis. HSBC strengthened their chances of Division I survival with their 6-2 beating of PharmaVet, while there was another 6 point result in QF Ltd’s favour against a struggling NINE outfit.
Fina First are sitting pretty at the top of the classification, nine points clear of title defenders Aercomms after thrashing fifth placed Royal Shock 0-8 in week twelve. They began with a one-sided 682-776 victory in the opening game, going on to double their lead with a 701-751 win in game two.
Game three proved to be the closest of the series, falling in Fina’s favour by just 18 points, 748-766 the score line to complete the drubbing. Brian Farrugia (Fina First), 631. Joe Cassar (Royal Shock), 567.
Aercomms allowed Fina to better their lead by dropping two points against relegation threatened Redwell heating this week. The outgoing champions were first on the scoreboard with their cagy 691-715 game one win, but then dropped to a terrible 642 in game two, losing to their opponents’ 677 effort which tied the match. Game three was another low scoring affair, Aercomms winning it 656-702 to claim the series points and so the match, 2-6. Dennis Mercieca (Aercomms), 546. Joanna Attard (Redwell Heating), 518.
Union Capital Group remain third after their 6-2 win against, who are suffering this season having lost their previous star man, veteran Leli Baldacchino. Union Capital drew first blood with a 727-695 opening win, but Ramis were quick to respond, levelling things with a 649-719 win in game two.
Union Capital were back in the driving seat for the deciding third game, clinching it 748-699 to take the match by just 11 pins (2,124-2,113). Neil Sullivan (Union Capital), 555.
QF Ltd’s positive season continued as they also walked away with a majority win, NINE finishing on the losing side, faced with the ever-growing prospect of an immediate return to Div II at season’s end. The defeat was in spite of a positive start by NINE who won a close game one 772-762.
Game two was another tight one, claimed by QF Ltd 715-726 to give them a nominal one-pin advantage as game three rolled off. They won that 690-741 to make sure of their 2-6 victory. Peter Mallia (QF Ltd.) 560. Mike Gatt (NINE), 553.
The final clash of the week also finished 6-2, this time with HSBC getting the better of PharmaVet to somewhat ease any relegation worries they may have. They took a 108 pin advantage with a 770-662 opening win, but then PharmaVet clawed back fifty of those with a 671-721 equaliser in game two. HSBC then shocked their opponents with an excellent 825-729 win in game three, easily claiming the match victory. Helenio Grech (HSBC), 559. Colin Attard (PharmaVet), 535.
Standings – Div. I, Week 12
Fina First-78, Aercomms-69, Union Capital Group-59, QF Ltd-52, Royal Shock-47, PharmaVet-46, HSBC-38, Ramis-36, NINE-28, Redwell Heating-27
Bowlers of the Week
Brian Farrugia (Fina First) 631; Tiziana Carannante (QF Ltd.) 529