Aercomms close gap on Fina First

Week nine marked the end of the first round of the current Middlesea Valletta Life National League at the Eden SuperBowl.

Champions Fina First are still top of Division One after a 6-2 win against PharmaVet, although their lead has been narrowed to just four points by challengers Aercomms who beat Ramis 8-0.

Aercomms stole the show in week nine by bowling the highest team series of the season to date (2,535) as they tore into a stunned Ramis foursome. Ramis gave a fair performance on the day but were outclassed by the formidable Aercomms outfit, who took game one 875-760, and then made it 4-0 with an 823-773 win in game two.

With a 165 pin backlog going into game three, Ramis could only hope for a two-point share by winning game three, but their hopes were soon dashed by an 837-763 finale from Aercomms.

Fina First began their match against PharmaVet with a 758-741 win, and then doubled up with a high 864 in game two against their opponents' 792 effort. They were confident of a 100 per cent victory as game three commenced, but PharmaVet had other plans, throwing a spoke into their wheels with a 760-783 win, 6-2 the final result.

Redwell Heating jump two spots to sixth on the strength of their 6-2 win against HSBC this week. Neither side impressed during the three-game set, Redwell's opening 741 against HSBC's 658 proving to be the highest game of the encounter.

In a very similar match, FireBalls emerged 6-2 winners from their bottom-of-the-table clash with Sammy's Embroideries, but the win wasn't enough to improve on their ninth place.

Royal Shock were denied of victory by Union Capital Group, who managed to force a four-all draw. Union Capital just managed to clinch the series points by 11 pins (2,252-2,263).

Standings (week 9): Fina First 56; Aercomms 52; Union Capital Group 40; Ramis 38; Royal Shock 34, Redwell Heating 34; HSBC 32; PharmaVet 30; FireBalls 26; Sammy's Embroideries 16.

Bowlers of the week: Mark Muscat (Fina First - 663); Sue Abela (Fina First - 570).