Week 14 of the MSV Life National League at the SuperBowl saw leaders okmalta.com claim a majority win over MIA and so increase their advantage to six points.
Another big factor in that was the surprise result of the week, wherein second-placed Fina were beaten 6-2 by last-placed Gladiators.
Ramis also picked up a majority against Royal Shock, and the universal 6-2 pattern continued with victories for Turu’s Knights against HSBC and The Clan against Salitos.
Okmalta.com are moving closer to a possible retention of the league title. Game one against MIA was something of a walkover with the defending champions winning it 639-798.
But then, in an incredible reversal of fortune, MIA bounced back to level the match with an inspired 801-692 win.
Okmalta.com still held a 50-pin advantage going into the decider, which they again won with relative ease, 622-760 to seal the match.
Fina took a tumble against lowly Gladiators. The supposed Fina big guns were seemingly at sixes and sevens from the opening shots, losing game one 726-754, and then finding themselves four down after Gladiators took the second game 724-789.
Fina made it on to the scoreboard in the final game although more through their opponents’ lack of consistency rather than on their own bowling merit, a 758-715 win rewarding them with their quarter share of the points.
Bowlers of the week: Ray Falzon Reale (Ramis, 621); Tiziana Caran-nante (Turu’s Knights, 571).
Standings: Okmalta.com 80, Fina 74, Ramis 70, Turu’s Knights 58, Royal Shock 56, The Clan 52, HSBC 50, MIA 34, Salitos 24, Gladiators 22.
Championships
The National Championships, sponsored by Tenovar Ltd, are currently underway at the Eden SuperBowl.
Although running concurrently, the championships for juniors are open for those bowlers aged up to 16 years, while the competition for intermediates will be contested by those players in the Under 23 category.
This year’s championships attracted some 27 young bowlers at the Superbowl, which is the largest field for many years, the MTBA said.
This healthy increase in participation has come about thanks to the sterling recruitment done by the association as well as a significant investment in resources and facilities by the Eden SuperBowl management.