After five weeks of the current Middlesea League, it’s neck and neck once again at the top of the Division One standings.

Fina hold the edge with their superior pinfall but are equal on 36 points with Ramis, who were 8-0 winners against HSBC while Fina beat Turu’s Knights 6-2.

Third-placed okmalta.com also took six from Royal Shock as Globalair claimed all eight from their clash with The Clan. Bottom side Gladiators finally picked up some points following a surprising 6-2 win over PharmaVet.

Ramis pulled off a very convincing 100 per cent victory over ninth-placed HSBC.

The rout began with a 687-764 Ramis win and it was soon 4-0 after the second of the series finished 718-835. Ramis held a 194-pin advantage heading into the third and final game, so the match was basically already in the bag.

They sealed all eight with the game of the week, crushing their opponents 654-897 in the process.

Fina had taken a slim two-point lead in week four, having previously shared top spot with Ramis, but week five saw them drop two points to allow Ramis back in.

It all began according to plan for Fina who took the opening game for the early lead, before doubling their advantage with an easy second game win.

It was down to the Knights to stop the rot, and to their merit they bounced back nicely with a great 864-779 win in the third to claim their two-point share and deny Fina their clear league lead.

Bowlers of the week: Rankin Camilleri (Ramis, 694); Sue Abela (Fina, 584).

Standings (week 5): Fina 36, Ramis 36, okmalta.com 32, Globalair 26, Turu’s Knights 20, Royal Shock 14, PharmaVet 14, The Clan 10, HSBC 8, Gladiators 6.