The 18th and final week of the Middlesea Valletta Life National League saw Globalair Travel claim their first ever league title after easily beating Bank of Valletta 8-0.
They dramatically snatched the glory from okmalta.com, who had practically headed the season standings all the way from day one. Although tied with Globalair after 17 weeks, okmalta.com could only split the week 18 spoils in a four-all draw against Salitos, effectively gifting their rivals with the league crown.
Ramis were already sure of third place and beat Salitos (eighth) 0-8, while fourth placed Fina clinched a majority win (2-6) against The Clan (ninth) in spite of being one bowler short. The match between Turu’s Knights (fifth) and PharmaVet (sixth) produced the second tied match of the week.
Globalair Travel had been trailing okmalta.com in second place in Division I for the major part of the season, but managed to sit level with them on 102 points going into this final fixture of the season. Facing bottom side Bank of Valletta gave Globalair a psychological advantage, as okmalta.com were to face Salitos, certainly a more capable outfit than the relegated Bank of Valletta side.
Globalair played like true champions from the opening frames, winning the first game 776-718, as okmalta.com stumbled to a 796-738 defeat at the hands of Salitos.
This further buoyed Globalair’s spirits and they stepped up to take their second game 876-765, now almost certain of the match win thanks to their 169 pinfall advantage going into the last of the set. Okmalta.com managed a very slim 754-757 win in game two, but could sense their title hopes fading as Globalair appeared invincible.
Okmalta.com did their level best against all odds and won their third game 739-779 for a 2-6 victory, but the night, and the league honours belonged to Globalair Travel who dealt one final crushing blow to their lowly opponents, taking the third game 872-633 for the 100% victory, and claiming the league title outright.
Final Standings - Division I
Globalair Travel-110, okmalta.com-106, Ramis-97, Fina-86, Turu’s Knights-73, PharmaVet-66, HSBC-64, Salitos-59, The Clan-41, Bank of Valletta-18
Bowlers of the Week
Sue Abela (Fina) 664; Ramon Casha (Turu’s Knights); Neil Sullivan (Globalair Travel); Rankin Camilleri (Ramis) 652