Badminton Malta’s competitive calendar was recently enhanced through the start of this season’s edition of this team competition. The event is made up of the Premier and First Divisions; it is being played at the Cottonera Sports Complex.

The First Division will be played over two rounds with each fixture consisting of two Singles and two Doubles games, thereby creating the possibility of a drawn result.

Defending champions Pawla Wolves Assikura started their commitments with a difficult encounter against their direct contenders, B’Kara BC.

The Wolves could not have hoped for a better start to their campaign when they made this difficult match their own with an emphatic 4-0 final score.

This positive initial result will certainly be a morale booster for the Paolites in their quest to retain the division title for yet another season.

On the other hand, B’Kara BC cannot afford any slip-ups in their remaining commitments, in the hope of turning the tables on their adversaries in the second round clash.

Tony Xuereb put the Wolves ahead in the opening Singles match by defeating Samuel Cali 21/17 - 21/14.

He was followed by Rodney Abela who similarly won his Singles match in two straight sets, overcoming Albert Bezzina 21/18 - 21/17.

The Wolves put the match beyond their opponent’s reach at the end of the first Doubles game, which brothers Rodney and Edmond Abela won against Martin Farrugia/Thomas Vestergaard 21/8 - 21/5.

B’Kara came close to scoring a consolation point in the second Doubles game. After narrowly losing the opening set 23/25 against the Wolves’ duo Tony Xuereb/Patrick Cassar, the B’Kara pair Samuel Cali/Albert Bezzina took the second one 21/15.

However, Xuereb/Cassar soon made amends for this temporary setback by making theirs the decisive third set, which they won 21/12.

The Mixed League will now continue on 11 February, with the start of the Premier Division.