Top four still battling for final placings

None of the top spots are yet decided in the Middlesea Valletta Life National League. Just two regular fixtures plus the final 'Position Round' remain at the Eden SuperBowl.

Aercomms are firm favourites to regain the league title but Fina First could still upset them if results go their way.

Only these two teams can still claim the top spot, but Ramis (third) and Fina Excel (fourth) are both still mathematically capable of stealing second place.

Ramis were 6-2 losers to Aercomms in their last match as both Fina teams managed to pick up six-point wins against Sammy's Embroideries and Royal Shock respectively.

Aercomms are proving very hard to catch in these late stages of the season, with chasers Fina First only able to mimic their rivals' match results in recent weeks.

Aercomms' first set against Ramis was a real gripper, with the leaders coming out on top by just three pins (815-812) and then doubled their lead to 4-0 with a more convincing 778-704 winner in the second.

Ramis almost forced a draw in game three which they won 790-725 but this left them just 12 pins behind on the series (2,318-2,306) and so victory fell to Aercomms.

Fina First blew their chances to draw closer to Aercomms by dropping a sloppy two points against Sammy's in the final game of their match. Sammy's stole their two-point share with a 757 winner against Fina's poor 710 final effort, keeping the outgoing champs 14 points shy of Aercomms.

At the opposite end of the division, Fireballs' relegation was mathematically confirmed not-withstanding their 6-2 win over Right Deal.

Swoosh are another team who are almost down and out following their 8-0 hammering at the hands of New Blood while Globalair Travel's safety is yet to be confirmed. The latter's plight was aided by the latest 7-1 win over Interwetten Alley Catz.

Standings (week 20): Aercomms 136, Fina First 122, Ramis 112, Fina Excel 106, New Blood 76, Royal Shock 74, Right Deal 72, Interwetten Alley Catz 71, Globalair Travel 65, Sammy's Embroideries 46, Swoosh 42, Fireballs 38.

Bowlers of the week: Rankin Camilleri (623, Aercomms), Doris Camilleri (583, Fina Excel).