Maximum wins for Fina First and Aercomms, as well as a 6-2 success for Striking Distance, helped separate the top three teams from the rest in the Honda national league as the ninth round of the competition was played at the Eden Superbowl last week.

While Aercomms gave a highest scoring performance in their win over Maltacom KSSK, leaders Fina First stole the show by claiming the match of the day - a derby clash against sister team Fina Excel.

The long-time champions took charge of the match right from frame one. It was a relatively easy victory for Fina First, as the games fell in their favour 873-761, 767-718 and 781-724 for an 8-0 whitewash. Dennis Mercieca was Fina First's high-man with a 649 series.

Aercomms stay second, just four points behind Fina First. Maltacom's performance was not a poor one but it was still not enough to stop a determined Aercomms side. The latter bowled well over 800 in all three games to complete the best team series (2,495) for the second week running.

Striking Distance took on Bomba Giants, emerging 6-2 winners to hang on to third place. There was a total reversal of fortunes during the games with the Giants starting strongly to win the first game but their play then suffered a steady deterioration as Striking Distance finished 106 pins better on the night.

Warsteiner won their match against Telesystems 6-2. The latter are bottom of the standings and evidently finding the going tough in the first division.

Warsteiner took the first two games to carry a 98-pin advantage on to game three which was however won by Telesystems who took home a two-point consolation prize.

Globalair Travel are hovering around the danger zone but were glad last week to beat So-Safe 6-2. The latter played below par but they narrowly took game one 719-712. Globalair came back strongly to win the other two games 789-748 and 743-719 and secure the lion's share of the points.

There was another 6-2 scoreline in the match between www.okmalta.com and a shoddy Technicolor side who are now third from bottom.

Standings: Fina First 62; Aercomms 58; Striking Distance 50; Fina Excel 40; So-Safe 39; www.okmalta.com 32; Maltacom KSSK 31; Warsteiner 30; Globalair Travel, Technicolor 26; Bomba Giants 22; Telesystems 16.

Bowlers of the week: Paul Baldacchino, 668 (Aercomms), Joanna Attard, 559 (Technicolor).