Week 18 marked the end of the two regular rounds in the Middlesea Valletta Life National League. The Division One will now split into Championship and Relegation pools for a final round.

The results among the top four teams made for an interesting third round as leaders Ramis were beaten 2-6 by fourth-placed Fina while Globalair took advantage with an 8-0 win against HSBC to go second.

okmalta.com slipped to third after suffering an 8-0 defeat at the hands of PharmaVet. Royal Shock took all eight from Turu’s Knights, while Gladiators and The Clan shared the spoils in a four-all draw.

Globalair’s win over HSBC narrowed their gap with Ramis to four points.

They had no trouble dispatching their lesser opponents, starting with a 760-805 game one win. Globalair were four up after game two which they took 738-854, before producing their best game of the series out of the hat to take game three 793-913.

Ramis missed the chance to strengthen their lead at the top after their 6-2 loss to Fina. The latter impressed against their arch-rivals with a 797-876 opening win, before doubling their lead in game two, a 917-941 humdinger. Fina dropped to a 773 in game three, 50 down on Ramis’ 823 effort, which bagged them a quarter share of the points.

The match of the week was that between okmalta.com and PharmaVet.

It was another high-scoring affair with PharmaVet stunning their opponents by snatching all eight points. A close opening game fell to PharmaVet, 767- 783, before the two teams delivered a gripping second.

Only six pins separated them in the end as PharmaVet won it 872-878. Game three saw PharmaVet go a step further, winning it 867-931.

Bowlers of the week: Danial Swift (Fina, 719); Sue Abela (Fina, 631).

Standings (after week 18): Ramis 108; Globalair 104; okmalta.com 98; Fina 96; Royal Shock, PharmaVet 68; Turu’s Knights 58; Gladiators 44; HSBC 40; The Clan 34.