Wolves close in on title

In the Premier Division of the H2Only Mixed League, the top two local clubs, Pawla Wolves Schtag and Birkirkara BC, are playing each other five times over a three-month period in order to determine the overall winner of the team championship title.

The Paolites currently hold a 2-0 lead after winning the opening two ties. Following their 4-1 positive lift-off, Pawla Wolves made the most of the psychological advantage they held over Birkirkara to claim the second encounter, this time with a 3-2 final scoreline.

This second victory puts the Wolves on velvet. All they require at this stage is a single win from the remaining three matches in order to clinch the national title.

Birkirkara showed a marked improvement over their first outing. However, their second successive defeat leaves them staring at an uphill struggle since they must win the three remaining fixtures if they are to top the league.

The Wolves made their intentions clear from the outset by opening up a 2-0 lead.

Yogish Mistry, their Indian player, won his opening men's singles match over Robert Salomone at the end of a three-set thriller - 21/17, 15/21, 21/16.

Didi Rasamayii, the Wolves' Dutch player, followed in Mistry's footsteps by beating Maria Borg - 21/14, 21/6.

With the match clearly slipping from their grasp, Birkirkara reacted strongly and pulled one back through Stefan Salomone/Aldo Polidano who won their men's doubles game 21/16, 27/25 against the Wolves' duo Kenneth Vella/Mistry.

However, the Wolves soon put the match beyond their opponents' reach by going 3-1 ahead in the ladies' doubles, in which Catherine Dimech/Rasamayii toppled Maria Borg/Fiorella Farrugia in two clear sets - 21/8, 21/14.

On their part, Birkirkara made the final score more respectable by taking the remaining mixed doubles. Stefan Salomone/Farrugia despa-tched the challenge of Vella/Dimech in two sets - 21/17, 21/15.

The third, and potentially decisive, encounter between these two sides is now scheduled for February 28.

More information can be obtained from the website of Badminton Malta, www.badmintonmalta.org.