At the finish gantry in the square of Buġibba on Sunday morning, there was never a doubt that Żurrieq Wolves would be the eventual winners.

As a tide of orange swept past in triumphant mood, Żurrieq had five members within the first 10 finishers, with four to count. Incurring 21points to bring their total over three outings to 94, the Wolves managed to leapfrog to the front with two encounters to go.

Pembroke Athleta relinquished their lead as they had 38 points to take their tally to 106 with Mellieħa AC further behind on 117.

Despite their success last Sunday, the leaders can’t afford to be complacent and strong showings are a must on the Ta’ Qali and Marsaskala routes if they are to claim the Challenge Cup.

Besides, between these last legs of the Road Running League, there is the Half Marathon and the classic Malta Marathon to contend with, where most of the local elite would want to do well.

Prominent among these potential protagonists will certainly be Charles Cilia, who led the in-form Jonathan Balzan by six seconds.

In fact, the St Patrick’s front man was fast gaining an unbeatable aura, but diminutive Mellieħa runner Cilia had other ideas to finish in a good time of just five seconds short of 34 minutes on the 10-kilometre route.

In the provisional classification, Cilia holds top spot ahead of Libertas runner Gerald Grech. Brian Magri, of Pembroke , is third.

However, there is plenty water to flow under the bridge.

In the women’s teams, the girls in green are sweeping the board.

Finishing second, third and fourth, St Patrick’s took their tally to unreachable heights to virtually secure the title, having only to be present in sufficient numbers in the remaining two legs to clinch it.

Pembroke and Mellieħa are contesting the lesser awards with the former leading the northern club by just seven points.

The tussle for the individual honour is a different story altogether.

Pembroke’s Lisa Marie Bezzina is going from strength to strength, laying a rightful claim to the throne of Malta’s best long-distance runner should team-mate and athletics queen Carol Walsh decide she has had enough.

Unbeaten this season, Bezzina was 50 seconds ahead of second-placed Angela Sammut, of St Patrick’s, who is currently second behind her in the provisional standings. Rita Galea, also of St Patrick’s, occupies third place.