Top team Fina First and second placed Aercomms again picked up similar victories in week fourteen of the Middlesea Valletta Life National League at the SuperBowl, Fina beating The Clan and Aercomms winning against Globalair Travel in a pair of six-point wins. Ramis were also 6-2 winners against HSBC, the latter now battling with PharmaVet to escape the second relegation position, and there was a 5-3 win for Turu’s Knights against Inlusion. PharmaVet and Royal Shock both claimed a four-point share from their tied encounter.

Fina First maintain their eight point cushion ahead of Aercomms at the top of Div I, after a 2-6 win against bottom side The Clan. Fina looked well in control of what was, on paper, the most one-sided of matches, as they easily took the opener of the set 741-850, before doubling their lead with a closer 769-801 game two win.

Then, against all odds The Clan came back to pull a great 839 game out of the bag, beating Fina’s 798 effort for their two point match dividend. Brian Farrugia (Fina First), 649. Stephen Larman (The Clan), 653, Bowler of the Week.

Second placed Aercomms can’t seem to capitalize when Fina drop points, and could only match them with a 6-2 win over Globalair Travel this week mainly thanks to a sloppy game three defeat.

They won game one 833-790, and then also took the very classy second game 840-814. Then incredibly, game three saw title pretenders Aercomms slump to a poor 705 effort, beaten by Globalair’s 755 closing game. Dennis Mercieca (Aercomms), 651. Neil Sullivan (Globalair Travel), 601.

The third and final six pointer of week 14 went to Ramis, much to the dismay of losing side HSBC who are now dangerously tied with PharmaVet for the second relegation slot. HSBC had the more positive start, making it 2-0 with a 735-701 game one win, but it was soon all square as Ramis came back with a 743-790 equaliser in game two.

Ramis then claimed the match thanks to their 750-817 clincher in game three. John Balani (Ramis), 627. Helenio Grech (HSBC), 563.

Turu’s Knights steamrolled over Inlusion in the opening game of their clash, 809-699 the score line. The teams then shared the points in game two with a matching pair of 739 games, before Inlusion rallied to a 797 tally in the last of the series, against a 760 from the Knights, who held on to the series pins by 73 pins (2,308-2,235) thanks to their big opening game, to claim victory. Ryan Grech (Turu’s Knights), 588. Andre Grech (Inlusion), 572.

Royal Shock salvaged a draw from the grip of defeat thanks to a big third game victory over opponents PharmaVet.

The latter opened the scoring with a tight 747-742 win, and then doubled their advantage by taking game two 743-723. Royal Shock then walked the third with a 707-844 score line, handing them the series points, and so the draw, by 112 pins (2197-2309). Danial Swift (PharmaVet), 574. Joe Cassar (Royal Shock), 643.

Bowlers of the Week

Stephen Larman (The Clan), 653; Sue Abela (Fina First), 579

Standings - Div. I, Week 14

Fina First-90, Aercomms-82, Ramis-66, Royal Shock-62, Globalair Travel-58, Turu’s Knights-53, Inlusion-45, HSBC-44, PharmaVet-44, The Clan-16

Standings - Div. II, Week 14

Active-80, NINE-78, Wasodol-78, Supreme-74, J Grima & Co Ltd-52, Highlanders-50, Gladiators-44, Blitzkrieg-39, Vintage-34, Atlas Insurance-31