Birkirkara Smart Office Supplies retained the Mixed Team title for our club for the fifth consecutive year and for the ninth time in our club’s history beating Paola BC 4-1, with a game to spare. Captained by Aldo Polidano and including Stephen Ferrante, Samuel Cali, Matthew Galea, Arif Rochman, Fiorella Sadowski, Marica Micallef, Olga Fedotkina Galea and Yanika Polidano, Smart Office Supplies overcame the injury problems facing some of their players to win all five matches so far. Their remaining match is the derby against clubmates Birkirkara Go & Fun, themselves in with a chance of winning the runner-up spot.

Birkirkara started the match on a high when Fiorella/Aldo beat Paola’s J. Cassar/K. Vella easily in the Mixed Doubles. The final score of 21-10, 21-12 reflects the superiority of our pair who kept their opponents at a safe distance throughout the game.

Paola equalised when O. Grech met and beat young Matthew, who again deputised for the injured Samuel, in the Men’s Singles 21-8, 21-4. Although finishing on the losing end this experience playing in the top flight will do Matthew a lot of good. He has the potential to be a good player, but he has to be patient, persevere and listen to his coaches.

Marica regained the lead for her team when she beat S. Spiteri in the Ladies Singles 21-8, 21-9. Marica was always in control and eased through to win the points.

The Men’s Doubles proved to be the most exciting, balanced and important game of the evening. A win for Birkirkara meant the championship, a win for Paola would have given the latter a chance to fight for the points.

Stephen/Aldo, though both not hundred per cent fit, made an extra effort to beat K. Vella/H. Thomsen and win the first set 21-19. In the second they seemed to feel the consequences of their efforts as they lost 21-13. In the third set they came from behind and, spurred on by the club’s supporters, they made a comeback to win the third set 21-15. This win meant the title for another year for our club.

The win in the final Ladies Doubles game for Marica/Fiorella against J. Cassar/S. Spiteri was of relative importance. They won 21-7, 21-12 to make the final score read:

Birkirkara Smart Office Supplies 4 vs Paola BC 1.

Whilst congratulating all the players for their achievement, special mention and thanks goes also to Head Coach Martin Farrugia for his sterling work throughout the season.