While week fifteen of the Middlesea Valletta Life National League at the SuperBowl saw similar 6-2 results in all five matches, and Fina First holding on to their eight point lead over rivals Aercomms at the top of Division one, week 16 saw the leaders stretch their advantage to ten points with the only full point victory of the week.

Although three weeks remain, including the final ‘position night’ which means that no less than 24 points are still up for grabs, Fina’s lead is a very tough one to overcome, but if anyone can succeed, then surely Aercomms are the only capable Div I outfit.

Meanwhile there is an interesting three-way fight for third place between Royal Shock, Globalair Travel and Ramis all within two points of each other, and at the other end of the league table, The Clan’s relegation fate has already been sealed, while PharmaVet, Inlusion and HSBC are all striving so escape the drop.

Week 15 Results

Aercomms-HSBC 6-2, Turu’s Knights-Fina First 2-6, Royal Shock-Ramis 6-2, Globalair Travel-Inlusion 6-2, The Clan-PharmaVet 2-6.

Week 16 Summary

Leaders Fina First were the only Div I side to claim a 100% victory in week sixteen against Ramis, allowing them to stretch their advantage to ten points, a considerable lead at this late stage in the campaign.

Ramis have been known to pull off more than a few surprises, but the evening belonged to their illustrious opponents, who began the whitewash with a 720-771 game one win, before doubling their lead with a better 729-817 win in game two.

Game three resulted in a massive 725-879 win for the defending champions to hand them all eight points. Justin Caruana Scicluna (Fina First), 700-Bowler of the Week. John Balani (Ramis), 579.

Aercomms dropped two points in their clash with Royal Shock to aid Fina’s cause, that single game loss coming in their thrilling opener against Royal Shock, the latter clinching it 818-824.

Aercomms were back in game to level the match with a 752-674 equaliser, and then took the decider by just fourteen pins (814-800) to claim the series points and so match victory by 86 pins (2,384-2,298). Ray Falzon Reale (Aercomms), 640. Clive Farrugia (Royal Snock), 633.

Turu’s Knights pulled further away from the danger zone with their 6-2 victory over PharmaVet who remain embroiled in the fight for survival.

The Knights claimed game one with a 735-709 score line, and were then 4-0 ahead after taking the second of the series 784-749.

Opponents PharmaVet then improved to a 760-783 win in game three to claim their quarter share of the spoils to gain a slight edge over their table-bottom companions Inlusion and HSBC. Peter Mallia (Turu’s Knights), 594. Melissa Swift (PharmaVet), 563.

The remaining two matches; Inlusion vs HSBC and Globalair Travel vs The Clan both ended in four-all draws. Inlusion won their first game 770-718, but then HSBC squared it with a 693-758 equaliser in game two.

Inlusion then picked up the close third game 718-710, but just missed out on the series points my a mere 5 pins (2.181-2.186), hence the match draw. Andre Grech (Inlusion), 564. Leli Baldacchino (HSBC), 567.

Globalair will be disappointed with their 4-4 tie against bottom side The Clan, who are in fact confirmed as relegated with this result, ironically one of their most positive of the season. Globalair got off to a flying start with a big 850-719 game one win, but were then floored in game two due to an incredible 924 game from their lowly opponents, which knocked their own good 844 effort into the shade.

The Clan then also bagged game three with a 749-792 score line, but Globalair took the series with their eight pins advantage overall (2,443-2,435). Neil Sullivan (Globalair Travel), 699. Stephen Larman (The Clan), 627.

Bowlers of the Week

Justin Caruana Scicluna (Fina First), 700; Sue Abela (Fina First), 595

Standings - Div. I, Week 16

Fina First-104, Aercomms-94, Royal Shock-70, Globalair Travel-68, Ramis-68, Turu’s Knights-61, PharmaVet-62, Inlusion-51, HSBC-50, The Clan-22

Standings – Div. II, Week 16

Active-92, NINE-90, Wasodol-86, Supreme-80, J Grima & Co Ltd-64, Gladiators-54, Highlanders-52, Blitzkrieg-47, Vintage-40, Atlas Insurance-35