The second round of the Italian national championships wasplayed in Chianciano Terme last weekend.
Seven Maltese players figured in the respective sections, turning out for five different clubs.
Massimo Cremona played for F.illi Bari Reggio Emilia and Samuel Bartolo for CCT Roma in Serie A. Joseph Mifsud, Hansel Mallia and Steve Austin played for Fiamme Azzurre in Serie B and Patrick Pace (Lazio) and Adrian Bonnici (Spezia) in Serie C.
Reggiana, the current European champions, confirmed their potential in the championship when they won the Italian Serie A league for the third time in their history.
As expected, the Reggio Emilia team, along with Perugia, the former champions, and Coppa Italia holders Pisa were pitted among the favourites as the second round got underway.
In fact, just one point separated the three clubs after the first round, Reggio Emilia and Perugia leading the table with 20 points each, followed closely by Pisa on 19. CCT Roma and Milano had 16 points at the start of the second round.
With identical 2-1 wins over Bari and Rieti, Bologna 3-0, Urbino 2-0 and Napoli 3-1, Reggiana ended Day One with five straight wins, opening a four-point advantage over Perugia and seven ahead of Pisa.
The programme on Day Two started with the top-of-the-table clash between Reggio Emilia and Perugia which ended in a 1-1 draw. A hard-earned win over Pisa (2-1) and a comfortable 3-0 victory over Roma followed for Reggiana to make sure of the Italian title.
The last game against Milano was a mere formality although Reggio Emilia still won it 3-1.
During the two days of competition, Cremona figured in 17 of the 18 Reggiana matches.
The team was composed of Saverio Bari (captain), Marco Lamberti, Giancarlo Giulianini, Giacomo Monica, Alessandro Corda, Carlos Flores (Spain) and Massimo Cremona (Malta).
Final classification: Reggio Emilia 45, Perugia 39, Pisa 33, Milan 27, Roma 24, Bologna 21, Napoli 20, Bari 14, Urbino 10, Rieti 10.
After dominating the first round of the Serie B championship, Fiam-me Azzure added another nine wins to their record making sure the title did not escape their grasp.
Final classification: Fiamme Azzure 52, Torino 38, Sessana 36, San Remo 31, Biella 28, Brescia 19, Ascoli 19, Catania 17, Cosenza 9, Cagliari 5.