Birżebbuġa inscribed their name for the first time on the Freedom Day Shield yesterday after striking a major surprise at the Grand Harbour when halting favourites Marsa’s three-year winning streak in this spring regatta.

Marsa, along with their main rivals Cospicua, failed to place among the top three in the opening race of the afternoon and it seemed that the holders did not recover fully from that unexpected setback, giving underdogs Birżebbuġa the chance to pounce and strike an unlikely success.

The jubilant Birżebbuġa clan proudly showing the Shield.

In fact, Birżebbuġa, the only club from outside the Grand Harbour basin in the competition, won the opening two races and two other podium finishes in the next three events were enough for them to secure an unassailable lead at the top of the standings with 54 points, 14 ahead of Senglea.

This time, Marsa had to settle for third place with 36 points, eight ahead of Cospicua.

Kalkara lads prevail

The Youth Category regatta also produced a new winner yesterday as a third placing in the decisive Tal-Pass (with four oarsmen) race was enough for Kalkara to finish ahead of Marsamxett and Birżeb-buġa in the final standings.

These three clubs started the last race with a chance to claim the class honours.

However, in the end it was Kalkara who topped the classification as Marsamxett fell short after reaching the finish second behind the oarsmen of Birżebbuġa.

Birżebbuġa rowers react after winning the tal-Midalji race, yesterday. Photos: Matthew Mirabelli

Results and final standings...

Open category
Tal-Midajli: 1. Birżebbuġa; 2. Senglea; 3. Kalkara.
Frejgatini: 1. Birżebbuġa; 2. Marsa; 3. Cospicua.
Pass x 2: 1. Marsa; 2. Cospicua; 3. Birżebbuġa.
Kajjikki: 1. Bormla; 2. Marsa; 3. Senglea.
Pass x 4: 1. Senglea; 2. Birżebbuġa; 3. Marsamxett.

Standings: 1. Birżebbuġa 54; 2. Senglea 40; 3. Marsa 36; 4. Cospicua 28; 5. Marsamxett 8; 6. Kalkara 6.

Youth category
Pass x 2: 1. Marsamxett; 2. Birżebbuġa; 3. Vittoriosa.
Kajjikki: 1. Kalkara; 2; Senglea; 3. Marsa.
Midalji: 1. Vittoriosa; 2. Kalkara; 3. Marsamxett.
Frejgatini: 1. Kalkara; 2. Senglea; 3. Vittoriosa.
Pass x 4: 1. Birżebbuġa; 2. Marsamxett; 3. Kalkara.

Standings: 1. Kalkara 44; 2. Marsamxett 42; 3. Birżebbuġa 36; 4. Vittoriosa 30; 5. Senglea 16; 6. Marsa 4.