Last Saturday, in my preview of the weekend matches, I wrote that I do not remember such a tight competition since the Premier League came into being.
After the only two matches played (again due to inclement weather forcing the postponement of two other matches), it has become tighter as the gap between the first seven sides has been closed by a further point - from five to four.
This came about after Hamrun's excellent, albeit surprising 7-3 win over Marsaxlokk and the 1-1 draw between Sliema and Birkirkara in the match that followed.
It is a position where all the seven clubs - from sole leaders Valletta to seventh placed Hibernians - will have to show alertness in their remaining six matches. Not just to figure among the Top Six, but especially to avoid having to play in the Relegation Pool in the second phase of the competition.
It is a situation which can see a club moving into the leadership zone or close to the Relegation Pool if it wins or suffers one defeat.
Yet, after the weekend's two matches and with all the teams having played 12 matches, Valletta lead by one points voer Sliema and Floriana, two over the surprise pack of the season ?Hamrun S. ?three over Birkirkara and Marsaxlokk and four over Hibernians. Pieta then have 12, Msida 11 and Mqabba at the bottom with just three points.
Last Sunday, Hamrun Spartans confirmed they are no pushovers as they extended their positive run to eight matches with an excellent 7-3 win over champions Marsaxlokk.
The Spartans have obtained excellent results against all the top clubs so far, but this was perhaps their best so far this season, with some of the goals they scored coming from the picture gallery.
It was a performance which gives a lot of encouragement to the coach, the players, the administration and their numerous fans who are now believing that the side can also figure not just among the Top Six to play in the Championship Pool, but also finished among the top four to gain a place in European football next season.
Marsaxlokk are a far cry from the team which dominated last season to win their first ever title.
This was their second defeat to the tune of seven goals. A few weeks ago they were beaten 7-0 by Valletta. Such defeats clearly show that all is not well at the club with the names of some of their top players being linked with a move to other clubs this month.
Marsaxlokk will do well to forget all about their recent mishaps and concentrate on better things to come if they wish to avoid trouble in the near future.
In the top match between Sliema and Birkirkara, neither side deserved to go away with the three points, even tough Sliema first and later Birkirkara had the chance to wrap up the match.
In fact, Sliema missed a penalty through Ivan Woods while the Stripes went on to miss two incredibly good chances just before the end. But that would have been cruel on either side, even if neither of them was impressive especially in the opening half.
Sliema made most of the running, but Stephen Azzopardi's boys never found the space available to penetrate the Stripes defence and it was Birkirkara who took the lead just before the interval.
In the second half, Sliema ended in 10 men when Sharlon Pace received a red card (he probably avoided a second goal for his side at that juncture), but substitute Ivan Woods managed to score a great equaliser.
Although he failed from the spotkick a few minutes later - he was thwarted by the splendid Omar Borg - it was a deserved equaliser for the Wanderers who seem to be struggling in their efforts to return to the sole leadership, ahead of Valletta.
As for Birkirkara, the team still continues to be inconsistent and is also a struggling outfit, no matter what their loyal fans might say.
True that Michael Galea was on the reserves bench and midfielder Paul Fenech was suspended but this is certainly not a good excuse for their inability to win such a match, considering the opportunities which came their way.