Balzan Flyers Crosscraft saw their dream come true when they managed to win their first ever Women’s League title after their straightforward 3-0 win over Fleur de Lys Twistees. Meanwhile, Valletta Mapei showed why they were regarded as favourites for this year’s title in the Men’s League when they won the first match from the series to determine this year’s champion.
Balzan Flyers Crosscraft continued on their string of successes this season, when after winning the John Bugeja Tribute Cup and the Super Cup at the beginning, they managed to remain unbeaten in both the Ladies’ League 1st Round, as well as in the Super League. David Caruana’s girls were too strong for Fleur de Lys Twistees in the match played during this weekend, the former winning 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-20) in one hour 16 minutes, to win their first ever championship title. This was Balzan Flyers’ twentieth win in all the competitions they participated in this season.
In the Men’s League playoffs, Valletta Mapei took the first step towards regaining the title they won last in 2011-2012 by beating Aloysians 3-0 in the first match of the final series. Valletta had Robert Balzan in fine form, and with their players serving repeatedly well, Aloysians found difficulty in gaining points, managing just 47 points in the whole three sets. The latter would need to find the same rhythm that they had in the semi-final series against Fleur de Lys to be able to put Valletta under pressure in the second match next week.
Fleur de Lys Twistees regained some composure after losing out the battle against Aloysians in the semi-final matches by beating Mgarr 3-0 in the match for the third place. Fleur de Lys were the better team all along the match, giving Mgarr no chance to organise themselves, with the former winning the sets 25-14, 25-14, 25-16 in the process.
Meanwhile, in the other match from the Ladies’ Super League, Mellieha Tritones beat Balzan Flyers Crosscraft 2 3-0, thus catching up with the same Balzan 2 at the bottom end of the standings.
Sliema Wanderers kept their hopes alive of winning the Ladies’ First Division when they beat Swieqi Phoenix 3-1 in a very entertaining match. Both sets of young players showed some good volleyball, with Phoenix settling in nicely in the first set, winning it 25-20, and then succumbing in the second set only at 24-26. Sliema took advantage of Swieqi’s mistakes in the next two sets, winning 25-17 and 25-18 in the process. The Wanderers are now just three points behind Playvolley General Membrane, and the result of the match between these two teams this coming Saturday might determine who wins this season’s Ladies’ First Division.
In the other match from the same Ladies’ First Division, Mgarr beat Birkirkara 3-0 (2515, 25-14, 27-25) to overcome the same Birkirkara in third place.
Photo Credit to MarkSoler MSPhotography