Defending champion Lalov leads in First Division

The main competitions in Badminton Malta's seasonal calendar are the singles and doubles leagues, played regularly on Wednesday evenings at the Cottonera Sports Complex.

The participants have been graded according to their standard of play, in 10 separate divisions - five for singles and five for doubles.

Each fixture consists of only two sets of 21 points, thereby giving rise to the possibility of a drawn result.

One point is awarded for each set won.

Four players are contesting the singles First Division which will be played over three rounds. At the end of the first round, defending champion Boris Lalov (Msida Arrows BC) tops the provisional table with a maximum six points.

He is followed by Kenneth Vella and David Cole (both Pawla Wolves BC). They are three points adrift of the leader with one win in addition to having drawn their direct encounter.

Lalov will start his second round by facing Cole and Anthony Xuereb, the latter still has to gain his first points.

Five players are contesting the Second Division.

Samuel Cali (Birkirkara BC) heads the provisional table with six points, having maintained his unbeaten run in the three fixtures played so far.

Cali is followed by Patrick Cassar and Rodney Abela (both Pawla Wolves), who have two points.

Abela will soon have the chance to bridge the gap with the leader when he will be facing Cali in his next fixture.

One may obtain more details on the leagues by visiting www.badmintonmalta.org.