Following the Singles and Doubles leagues, the attention of local badminton enthusiasts focused on the Mixed League. This season, four teams are contesting the event at the University Sports Complex and St Martin's College.

The top two teams at the end of the second round head for the play-offs which would establish the final destination of the championship title.

Defending champions Birk-irkara Medairco 'A' and Pawla Wolves Schtag are the hot favourites for the title. They both started their commitments on a top note, having won their initial two matches. Their first-round direct clash was to establish which side would enjoy the early edge.

Birkirkara made the match their own, at the end of a balanced three-hour encounter in which three of the overall eight games went to the third set.

Birkirkara claimed the opening two games. Jacqueline De Giovanni beat Jennifer Borg 11/7 11/1 while Jo'Anne Cassar and Aldo Polidano had the better of Catherine Dimech/Edmond Abela 11/4 11/6.

Realising that the match was slipping from their grasp, the Wolves reacted strongly and won two men's singles contests to draw level at two-all.

David Cole ousted Birkirkara captain Konrad Degabriele 15/3 15/8. Then, Wolves' captain Kenneth Vella beat Stefan Salomone 15/6 2/15 15/7.

However, Birkirkara surged ahead once again by taking the other men's singles thanks to Robert Salomone who defeated Rodney Abela 15/7 15/9.

But the Wolves were still not ready to throw in the towel. Their immediate reaction paid dividends after Catherine Dimech and Jennifer Borg won 11/3 5/l1 11/19 against Rachel Attard/Jacqueline De Giovanni.

With the partial score reading 3-3, the remaining two men's doubles were to decide the outcome.

Birkirkara took the first one through Aldo Polidano/Brian Zammit in three sets and then went on to clinch the match 5-3 overall thanks to Salomone duo Robert and Stefan.

With all teams now having played three matches, the standings read as follows: Birkirkara Medairco 'A' 12; Pawla Wolves Schtag 9; Shuttles BC 2; Birkirkara Medairco 'B' 2.

The Mixed League will now continue on February 23 with another fixture featuring the two squads currently at the wrong end of the table - Shuttles BC and Birkirkara Medairco 'B' at St Martin's College.

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