Week nine marks the end of round one in the MSV Life National League and leaders okmalta.com appear comfortable with their 10-point lead at the top of Division One.
They could only manage a four-all draw with Malta International Airport this week while chasers Ramis and Fina both claimed majority victories against Blitzkrieg and Royal Shock respectively.
There was also a 6-2 win for J. Grima & Co. over Bowlers on Strike, while the game between Turu’s Knights and The Clan ended in a draw.
okmalta.com’s opening effort against MIA belied their high-flying league status as they lost 716-726 in game one. They rallied somewhat in game two to win it 754-720, and so draw level at 2-2.
Game three saw both teams stepping up a gear with the leaders missing out by just 10 pins as that fell 773-783 to MIA, although they did manage to hold on to the series points to force the draw, by just 14 pins (2,243-2,229).
Second-placed Ramis started poorly against bottom side Blitzkrieg, suffering a surprising 711-699 defeat. The tables were soon turned, however, as they came back to draw level in some style, easily winning game two 781-640.
That gave Ramis a decent advantage heading into the last of the set. They maintained their game two form to take that 774-727, and so win the match 6-2.
There was also a 6-2 victory for current champions Fina, who are 12 points down on the leaders back in third place. They faced Royal Shock, opening the proceedings with the biggest team game of the week to win game one 836-729.
There was quite a bizarre reversal of roles in game two, however, with Royal Shock bouncing back to roll a high game of their own, winning 818-720 to make it two-all going into the all important decider.
That was a much more sedate affair, swinging Fina’s way 741-721, for the match (2,297-2,268).
It was 6-2 again in the clash between J. Grima & Co who are looking to avoid the drop, and mid-table outfit Bowlers on Strike.
J. Grima & Co started off with a 698-649 game one win, but yet again the match was all square after two games, as Bowlers on Strike produced an inspired 809-695 equalising win in game two.
As game three rolled off, both sides were counting what was required in order to snatch the series points apart from the game.
That ended 742-676 in J. Grima & Co’s favour who just managed to steal the series by one solitary pin (2,135 – 2,134) for the match.
Bowlers of the week: Rankin Camilleri, (okmalta.com) 603; Sue Abela (Fina) 604.
Division One standings: okmalta. com 58; Ramis 48; Fina 46; Turu’s Knights 42; Bowlers on Strike 40; MIA 32; The Clan 30; Royal Shock 26; J Grima & Co. 10; Blitzkrieg 14.
Division Two standings: Bank of Valletta 54; St James 53; Vintage, XS 52; The Degens 40; Supreme 31; Atlas Insurance 24; BOV, Pin Strikers 22; Ready Steady Bowl 10.