Fina First are still eight points ahead of nearest chasers Ramis after week eleven of the Middlesea Valletta Life National League, the two drawing in their second clash of the season this week. Globalair Travel scooped a 6-2 win against HSBC, as did Turu’s Knights over Blasters. Royal Shock were the only side to take all eight points from their match with PharmaVet, while bottom side NINE managed to register their very first win of the season, taking six points from ex-league leaders The Clan.

After four weeks of copy-cat match results for eight point leaders Fina First and second placed Ramis, the top two met for the second time this season this week. A change either way in Fina’s lead was anticipated, but was not to be as the points ended up being split down the middle in a four-all draw.

Ramis took an early lead thanks to their 720-760 game one win, before Fina levelled things with a good 828-723 win in the second. That big win served them well in the end, as Ramis came back to take game three 803-852, but lost the series points to Fina by just 11 pins (2,351-2,340). Rankin Camilleri (Ramis), 624, Bowler of the week. Brian Farrugia (Fina First), 612.

Globalair Travel won 6-2 against HSBC to keep up with the top teams, while their opponents survival battle is not yet over. Globalair opened with a tight 778-774 game win, but had an easier time in game which they won 749-634. HSBC claimed their quarter share of the spoils thanks to their 721-756 win in the third. Neil Sullivan (Globalair), 618. Sammy Borg (HSBC), 559.

Third placed Turu’s Knights also picked up a six point victory in week eleven, to edge closer to the ‘big guns’, at the expense of opponents Blasters. They went 2-0 up with an initial 765-711 win, before Blasters made it 2-2 with a 677-710 result in the second. The match was up for grabs as only 21 pins separated the two sides going into game three, and it was the Knights who prevailed with a 729-709 win to clinch the series points (2,171-2,130). Ryan Grech (Turu’s Knights), 545. Benny Hili (Blasters), 525.

Royal Shock kept their survival hopes alive with the only 100% win of the week, against sixth placed PharmaVet. Game one could hardly have been closer with Royal Shock stealing by a mere two pins (724-726), before they doubled their lead with a 637-686 game two win. They rounded off the whitewash with a better 701-778 game to take all eight. Peter Sammut Briffa (Royal Shock), 528. Franco Ricci (PharmaVet), 518.

Bottom side NINE finally had something to cheer about this week, as they registered their very first match win of the season, a 2-6 result against one time league leaders The Clan. Rather than letting a tense 719-717 opening defeat shatter their morale, NINE bounced back with a 741-749 equalizer in the second of the set, and then finished with a 735-766 win for the match. Nathan Brimmer, Joe Smith (NINE), 530. Ray Falzon Reale (The Clan), 562.

Bowlers of the Week

Rankin Camilleri (Ramis), 624 ; Sue Abela (Fina First), 544

Standings - Div I, Week 11

Fina First-70, Ramis-62, Turu’s Knights-56, Globalair Travel-52, The Clan-42, PharmaVet-40, HSBC-36, Blasters-36, Royal Shock-32, NINE-14

Standings - Div II, Week 11

Café Ole-62, Bank of Valletta-54, Vintage-53, Baboons-50, Wasodol-46, J Grima & Co-42, Blitzkrieg-42, Gladiators-36, Supreme-35, Touch of Class-20