In addition to its Individual League, Badminton Malta is enhancing its competitive schedule for this season with the organisation of the usual Team League, known among the enthusiasts as the Mixed League.
This season’s edition will once again see the best two local teams, defending champions Birkirkara and challengers Pawla Wolves Assikura, play each other five times over four months in order to establish the winner of the title.
These matches are held at the Cottonera Sports Complex on Wednesday evenings, starting at 7 p.m.
Each match is made up of five separate games which are played in this order: mixed doubles, men’s and women’s singles as well as men’s and women’s doubles.
Birkirkara had quite a positive start to this five-match series by winning the first encounter against the Paolites 4-1.
The champions showed their intentions from the outset as they claimed the opening mixed doubles through Robert Salomone/Fiorella Farrugia who defeated Kenneth Vella/Catherine Dimech 22/20 and 21/13.
However, Pawla Wolves reacted to draw level and put the match on an even keel.
This they did through Boris Lalov, who has joined the Wolves on loan from Msida Arrows BC for the duration of the Mixed League. The Bulgarian prevailed in his men’s singles against Stefan Salomone 23/21 21/17.
Birkirkara recovered from this setback and proceeded to take the remaining three games.
Maria Borg put Birkirkara ahead by winning the singles against Dominique Francica 21/14 and 21/16.
She was followed by the Salomone brothers who took the men’s doubles at the expense of Vella/Lalov whom they beat 21/14 and 22/20.
With the score 3-1 in their favour, Birkirkara capped their opening success by taking the women’s doubles in which Farrugia/Maria Borg had the better of Dimech/ Joanne Cassar.
This fine start for Birkirkara will certainly strengthen their self-confidence as they bid to retain the national championship.
For their part, Pawla Wolves Assikura, with four matches still to play, can still make up for their opening upset.
This they can do tomorrow when the two teams meet again at the Cottonera Sports Complex for their second encounter in the five-match series.