Newcomers okmalta.com make strong start

Newly-promoted okmalta.com (ex-Fireballs) have strengthened their line-up for the new season and are the early leaders of the National League with 14 points after two consecutive wins at the Eden SuperBowl.

Things are very tight at the top though, as another three teams are also on 14 points, namely Fina, PharmaVet and Globalair Travel, one ahead of champions Ramis.

Ramis started their title defence with an 8-0 thrashing of Bank of Valletta.

Having snapped up first-rate bowlers Mark Spiteri (ex-Fina) and Ray Falzon (ex-The Clan) during the close season, okmalta.com were off to flying start as they beat Turu's Knights 8-0.

PharmaVet also took eight points in week one at the expense of The Clan. The fourth full-point victory of the week fell to Globalair Travel over Salitos (ex-Blasters).

Fina have had some team changes of their own, most notably bringing in Mark Muscat to replace Spiteri. They managed a 6-2 win over HSBC despite turning in a below-par performance.

In the second week, okmalta.com obtained a 6-2 win over HSBC to maintain their positive start. They won a thrilling first game 809-822, then went 4-0 up by clinching game two 729-807. HSBC hadn't given up the ghost just yet, and came back to take the last of the set 815-777 for their quarter share of the points.

Fina bagged the only 100 per cent victory of the week against Turu's Knights to move up to second place. The result was never in doubt as the game scores progressed 880-710, 829-745 and 789-679.

PharmaVet lie third after beating BOV 6-2. They won game one 676- 761 but Bank of Valletta levelled matters by taking the second 694-650. A 746-757 deciding win handed the match to PharmaVet.

Globalair Travel also netted six points against The Clan to become the fourth team to reach the 14-point mark.

They took the first two games 739-641 and 733-673 respectively, before The Clan pulled one back with a gripping 718-719 game three win.

Ramis dropped three points against Salitos to slip to fifth place.

Salitos had the more positive start, claiming game one 683-722, but Ramis then made it two-all with a comfortable 780-689 equaliser. Game three was tied on 746 apiece, Ramis taking the series by 52 pins for the match (2,252 - 2,200).

Standings (week two): okmalta.com, Fina, PharmaVet, Globalair Travel 14 points; Ramis 13; HSBC 4; Salitos 3;Bank of Valletta, The Clan 2; Turu's Knights 0.