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Gatorade 1 Div. Men - Play Off Final 1
Dakar Sliema 68 Siggiewi Smina 58
(22-16)(10-9)(17-16)(19-17)
Sliema made the first step to hold on to the title won last season, beating off a determined Siggiewi challenge. The game was played before probably the biggest crowd of the season, and provided thrills and excitement. What was not welcome was the trivial incident which escalated, and led to the sending off of a player from each team, which will prevent them from playing in the second match, next Sunday. Despite Siggiewi's wholehearted approach to this game Sliema always seemed to have the edge, as they play with confidence, and feel certain of pulling the rersult their way.
The only absentee was Siggiewi's Eman Xuereb, still abroad, and his place was taken by Ian Mercieca, and Louis Camilleri returned after his recent injury.
Tight marking was the order of the day, as Sliema went into a 5-1 lead, with a Silvio Cassar hoop and trey. Siggiewi's attempts to make up the leeway did not bear fruit, and Sliema advanced to a 12-5 score. Siggiewi suddenly clicked, and a long 11-0 run gave them an advantage. Sliema broke up the sequence, and posted a 10-0 run of their own, ending with treys by Etienne Bezzina, and a last second one by MIcheal Naudi.
In the second quarter David Camilleri's trey brought them back into contention, but the Sliema freethrows pushed them forward again. Siggiewi's penchant of trying to force themselves into the zone was hampering them, and when they played wide, David Camilleri's trey helped in a small 6-2 run. Omar Said's hoop for Sliema gave them some more breathing space, and at the interval they could rest on a 32-25 advantage.
After the break Sliema imposed their style of play, and an 8-2 run, ending with a Duncan Cuschieri trey, put them on a better lead. Siggiewi did have a reply, in a 9-3 run, with a Peter Shoults trey, but they suffered an Omar Said trey at the other end. Siggiewi were still not within striking distance, as Sliema kept them at arms' length, although a glorious Addison Bonnici trey from fully twenty five metres out was just foiled bu the buzzer, as Sliema led 49-41.
Siggiewi came out strongly in the last quarter, and a JP Azzopardi trey started a 7-2 run, which gave them hope, but they were jolted by a second Naudi trey. They still came back to 53-56 down, but Sliema had a stiff reply in a 7-0 run, with a third Naudi trey. Azzopardi was injured for Siggiewi, and took no further part in the game. Then came the stupid incident, which led to the dismissal of Sliema's Adrian Micallef and Siggiewi's Albert Spiteri. Sliema kept their end up, and when Siggiewi tried to stop the clock, the resulting free throws served to pull Sliema clear at the end.
SLIEMA: 25 M. Naudi, J. Zammit, C. Calleja, 8 E. Bezzina, J. Galea, T. Riolo, 9 O. Said, 2 A. Micallef, 5 D. Cuschieri, 4 K. Baldacchino, 15 S. Cassar, J. Gatt
SIGGIEWI: 6 A. Spiteri, L. Camilleri, 17 D. Camilleri, J. Doughty, 4 A. Portelli, 3 JP Azzopardi, 11 P. Shoults, 2 JP Bonnici, 15 A. Bonnici, S. Sammut, A. Huizer, I. Mercieca
REFEREES: Bernard Vassallo, Gordon Barbara, Stephen Micallef
Gatorade Championship Pool - 1 Div. Men
Siggiewi Smina 57 Dakar Sliema 75
(18-14)(9-25)(17-18)(13-18)
It was an open match, with no player being hampered with excessive marking. Young players went on court from time to time, and the teams' minds were more on their encounter in two days' time, when the hostilities will really start. Sl;iema held an edge throughout the match, and kept their top position in the standings.
Siggiewi had Louis Camilleri and Eman Xuereb missing, and there were also three other players on the bench who never made it to the court.
Siggiewi opened up with a David Camilleri trey, but Sliema had a reply, till they went 8-6 in front. Later on an Etienne Bezzina trey gave Sliema a better lead, but Siggiewi shut their opponents out, and a 10-0 run till the end of the session, with Camilleri involved continually, put Sliema in a small deficit.
In the second quarter Omar Said sank a trey for Sliema. Siggiewi's free shots couldn't prevent their adversaries fron going ahead. Siggiewi did draw level, at 21-21, but Michael Naudi went on court for the Blues, and sank a couple of treys, in a personal 8-0 run. WWhen Siggiewi tried to recuperate it was Tino Riolo who popped up for Sliema. Siggiewi's points in the latter stages of the quarter were overshadowed by two more Sliema treys, by Adrian Micallef and a third for Naudi. At the halfway stage it was Sliema, at 39-27.
After the break Sliema went out strongly, and starting with a Kristinn Baldacchino trey, they made up a 9-0 run, before Siggiewi could recover. It was mainly through David Camilleri, and helped by a couple of Abraham Portelli hoops. Sliema's baskets weren't that frequent, but they could still hold a 57-44 advantage, with a session to go.
Siggiewi opened with a couple of hoops in the last quarter, but there was a quick reply from Sliema, as Naudi put in his fourth trey, in a 7-0 run. Siggiewi also sank a trey, by Portelli, in a personal 5-0 run, but Naudi manage dto sink his fifth trey. Sliema's 11-2 run saw Jeffrey Gatt also putting in his share. The end came soon enough for both teams, as they now concentrate on the final series.
SIGGIEWI: A. Spiteri, 26 D. Camilleri, J. Doughty, 9 A. Portelli, JP Azzopardi, 5 P. Shoults, 7 JP Bonnici, A. Bonnici, 1 S. Sammut, 7 A. Huizer, 2 JP Antoncic
SLIEMA: 20 M. Naudi, J. Zammit, 2 C. calleja, 9 E. Bezzina, J. Galea, 6 T. Riolo, 7 O. Said, 8 A. Micallef, 4 D. Cuschieri, 7 K. Baldacchino, 7 S. Cassar, 5 J. Gatt
REFEREES: Bernard Vassallo, Emanuel Mangani, Anthony Micallef


Gatorade Relegation Pool - 1 Div. Men
Qormi Kia 58 Depiro 62
(4-14)(24-18)(14-15)(16-15)
The happiest team at the end of the match wer Floriana, as Depiro's win sealed Qormi's fate. Floriana held on to their top division status, and Qormi went down again, after a brief season among the elite. Qormi were tense at teh start, but recovered slowly and dragged themselves back. Their late lead, though, was cancelled in a short time, and then they suffered the mortal blows in the last remaining seconds.
Depiro made the better start, although both teams took time to settle down. Depiro's first points were neutralised by Qormi, as they tied, at 4-4. From then on it was Depiro, as Qormi failed their shots badly. Depiro's fast play procured a 10-0 run, for a double figure lead, with Qormi in difficulties, and Antoine Grech already foul hit.
In the second quarter it was a different game. At first Depiro not only held their lead, but increased it to a 21-8 score, as both sides began with treys, Clint Cassar for Depiro and Keith Scicluna for Qormi. Depiro held on, despite a Simon Cauchi trey for Qormi, but Cauchi was on fire, and an 8-0 personal run, with two more treys, in a 9-0 break, made it a closer match. Qormi didn't stop, and a Wayne Grixti trey reduced Depiro's lead to a single basket. Depiro recovered at th end, to lead 32-28 at the break.
After the interval Cauchi put in his fourth trey for Qormi, but this only served as a stimulus for Depiro, as their single point lead took on better proportions, with a 9-1 run. Qormi rallied and shared the play, cutting down slightly on their deficit. After three sessions Depiro were resting on a 47-42 advantage.
In the final quarter the play was even at first, with Antoine Grech netting three hoops for Qormi, as they strove to make up the leeway. Adrian Baldacchino's trey made it just a one point game, and Grech's hoop finally gave Qormi their only lead. Depiro recovered to go in front again. The lead changed hands twice, and in the last half minute Depiro landed the match, with Andrew Aquilina nailing the last hoop, as Qormi slumped to a disappointing defeat..
QORMI: 5 W. Grixti, 16 A. Grech, 5 K. Scicluna, J. Anastasi, A. Camilleri, J. Sant, 3 R. Formosa, J. Dalli, R. Baldacchino, C. Bugeja, 16 S. Cauchi, 13 A. Baldacchino
DEPIRO: 15 R. Vella, B. Zammit, 3 M. Zammit, G. Muscat, 5 A. Aquilina, 3 A. Tabone, 7 M. Mallia, 15 C. Cassar, 11 E. Lupo, A. Costa, I. tanti, 3 D. Agius
REFEREES: Emanuel Mangani, Jean Paul Sammut, Clive Terribile
Peugeot Women Play Off Final 2
Depiro 51 Hibs Medsea 49
(16-12)(9-18)(6-14)(20-5)
Depiro overcame an awkward siituation, being well behind at the atart of the final quarter, to emerge triumphant, and take the championship plat offs into the third and deciding match. Hibs have only themselves to blame, as they must have thought that the game was theirs for the taking. They were punished badly, as Depiro's grand comeback bore fruit, and left the champions in tatters at the end. This game was a far cry from the first one, when Hibs demolished their adversaries, and gave the large crowd present their money's worth.
Depiro couldn't have hoped for a better start. An opening Sarah Pace trey, and a 7-0 run, set Hibs thinking, but they replied with a couple of hoops, only to be set back again, by a second Pace trey. The champions' reaction resulted in a good 8-2 run, as Nadia Mifsud sank in two goos hoops, for a 12-12 tie. Depiro managed to go in front again, and they stayed there till the end of the quarter.
In the second session Depiro increased their lead, but then they had to suffer the Paolites' relentless pressure, as Bev Zammit led her team to an 8-0 run, for a 20-19 lead. Greta Zarb sank a trey for Depiro, as they recovered, to regain the advantage, but they couldn't hold it long, as Alexis Darmanin's free shots and Zammit's foraging resulted in a strong 10-0 run, and Hibs forged in front. Depiro could onlt reply through a single hoop, and the champions went in at the interval, on a 30-25 advantage.
After the break Depiro were hit hard, as Bev Zammit put in her trey, and Francesca Tabone came off the ebnch and promptly did likewise. Depiro tried to recover, but the champions were confident in their play, and went into a 42-28 advantage. Despite their insistence Depiro couldn't manage to get any nearer, and after three sessions the Paolites were resting on a 44-31 lead.
Hibs were surprised at the start of the last quarter, as Rachel Camilleri's trey, and a third Sarah Pace trey, in an 8-0 run, opened the game once again. Hibs tried to stop the flow of play but Depiro were in full flow, as they put in an 11-0 run, for a 50-46 lead, with a second Zarb Trey. Hibs replied at last, with a second Zammit trey, to make it a one-point game. In the remaining time Depiro stuck grimly to their task, and denied the champions to the very end. leaving Hibs' clean sweep of honours in doubt.
DEPIRO: 2 R. camenzuli, C. Riolo, 11 S. Pace, 14 J. Cardona, 8 R. Camilleri, 2 A. Muscat, C. Hawkins, A. Sciberras, E. Vella, R. Spiteri, 14 G. Zarb
HIBS: 8 C. Fenech, 16 B. Zammit, F. Bianco, 3 F. Tabone, 4 M. Desira, 2 D. Parnis, 12 A. Darmanin, 4 N. Mifsud, S. Debono. M. Cutajar
REFEREES: Emanuel Mangani, Clive Terribile
Peugeot Women Championship - Play Off Final 1
Hibs Medsea 63 Depiro 31
(11-11)(13-3)(23-15)(16-2)
Hibs completely forgot the two defeats they suffered at the hands of Depiro, in the last few days, and overran their opponents. Depiro were never at ease in the match, and the champions exercised control, to pull away easily, as from the second quarter. Depiro's close marking didn't pay off, and Caroline Fenech was left unattended, to sink in her hoops, to her heart's content.
Both sides adopted personal marking at the start, but later on the Paolites reverted to their old zone defence. Depiro stuck to their task, and Hibs had a hard time, at first, in finding unmarked team mates. Depiro went into a 5-2 lead, as Greta Zarb made a couple of hoops. The champions' reply came through Maria Desira, and later on Bev Zammit sank her trey. Depiro recovered late in the quarter, as Sarah Pace found the basket twice, the last one in the very last second, as both teams went in on a level score.
The two teams were too wary of each other in the second session, and Depiro could find no way through in the first eight minutes. Hibs slowly began to build up their lead, and a 9-0 run, ending with a second Bev Zammit trey, gave them a 20-11 lead. Rachel Camilleri finally ended Depiro's drought, but the Paolites still manage dto add a brace of hoops, as they went into the half time interval on a 24-14 advantage.
After the break Depiro were still in turmoil. A 7-1 HIbs run, starting with a third Zammit trey, pushed the champions further ahead. Depiro could only reply through free shots, as Hibs put in a trio of hoops. Greta Zarb picked Depiro up, as she sank three treys, but Hibs always found the way to basket, and Alexis Darmanin was putting them in. After three sessions the Paolites were on a strong 47-29 advantage.
The last quarter was even worse for Depiro. A last effort was expected from them, but except for a lone Rachel Camilleri hoop, they could only watch as Caroline Fenech and Maria Desira made havoc in the opposing defence. Depiro must now look to make amends in the next match, if they want to prevent the Paolites from amking a clean sweep of the honours this season.
HIBS: 16 C. Fenech, 15 B. Zammit, F. Bianco, F. Tabone, 14 M. Desira, 10 D. Parnis, 8 A. Darmanin, N. Mifsud, S. Debono, M. Cutajar
DEPIRO: R. Camenzuli, C. Riolo, 6 S. Pace, 2 J. Cardona, R. Spiteri, 9 R. Camilleri, A. Muscat, C. Hawkins, 1 A. Sciberras, E. Vella, 13 G. Zarb
REFEREES: Stephen Micallef, Alfred Carbonaro
Peugeot Classification Pool Women
Luxol 72 Sliema Wanderers 39
(22-5)(16-10)(14-18)(20-6)
Luxol kept up their winning streak, and also keeping their unbeaten run against Sliema, in five matches played. The game had a nasty moment in the final session, as players were involved in personal feuds, and the outcome was a double expulsion to both teams, in a match which practically had no bearing, but which left a bad taste.
Sliema were on the receiving end soon after the start, after they had replied to Luxol's first three hoops, for a 4-6 score. From then on till nearly the end of the sesison, Luxol were in complete command, as they piled in a 16-0 run, starting with a Psaila savona trey. It was only in the last stages that Francesca Farrugia stopped the run, but Sliema had fallen behind.
In the second quarter once again Sliema took time to settle down, and suffered a 5-9 score, and Luxol's lead continued to escalate. The Wanderers did manage to put pressure on Luxol's rearguard for a period of time, but the end of the session was again in Luxol's hands, and a 7-2 run put them in a 38-15 advantage at the interval.
After the break Sliema had the better start, and an opening Michela Loporto trey, ina 7-2 run, promised better things. Luxol replied with a Kirsten Micallef trey, but Loporto parried with a personal 7-0 run, and another trey, as Sliema hiked up their score. Luxol finally came back into the game, and after three sessions they were holding a 52-33 lead.
In the final quarter play was in fits and starts. Sliema began by making the first points, but the Violets had a reply, with a 7-0 run, as Lara Chetcuti and Justine Mangion made their shots. Trouble was brewing, with personal feuds, and an incident escalated to such an extent, that two players from each side were expelled, Lonike Calleja and Francesca Farrugia for Sliema and Amanda Sciortino and Justine Mangion for Luxol. When play resumed the edge was gone from the game, though Loporto made a third trey for Sliema. Luxol then took the match in hand, with an 11-0 run, which went on till the end of the game, as Emma Moore closed down with a trey.
LUXOL: 16 Francesca Psaila Savona, 16 Lara Chetcuti, 10 Emma Moore
SLIEMA: 15 Michela Loporto
REFEREES: Emanuel Mangani, Jean Paul Sammut
Peugeot Classification Pool Women
Kerygma 42 SN Suns JC 35
(6-12)(8-6)(15-7)(13-10)
Kerygma took time to finally subdue a fighting Suns side, and it was only in the third session that they could impose their superiority. They also had Josette Calleja to spur them on, and Lara Cauchi's treys came at opportune times. Suns faded away at the end, after having threatened to create a surprise, earlier on in the match.
Kerygma had Renette Debono and Elaine Cutajar abroad, whilst Suns, as per their last matches, were on a six-member side.
After an innocuous start it was Kerygma who put in the first two hoops. Suns had a reply, but suffered another basket. From then on Suns surprised their adversaries, as they started with a Diane Falzon trey, and ran up a 9-0 break, as Falzon continued to sink in her points. Kerygma had no reply, as Suns could hold on to their lead.
In the second quarter points were harder to obtain. Suns managed to increase their advantage at the start, but Josette Calleja began to hit her shots, and Kerygma went to within a hoop. Suns survived till the interval buzzer, adding on another basket, for a low 18-14 scoreline.
After the break Suns were still holding on, despite a Lara Cauchi trey for Kerygma, but when Josette Calleja added on more hoops, including an 8-0 personal run, Kerygma went in front. Suns stopped the run, but were still behind, after three sessions, with Kerygma on a 29-25 advantage.
In the final quarter Kerygma could add on to their lead, but Suns were never really far behind. It was Amanda Farrugia's points that helped Kerygma, and Lilian Cremona did likewise at the other end. Cauchi's second trey put Kerygma just out of reach, as the rest of the match was shared, and Kerygma made it five out of five against the hapless Suns.
KERYGMA: 23 Josette Calleja, 9 Amanda Farrugia
SUNS: 13 Diane Falzon
REFEREES: Alfred Carbonaro, Jennifer Mangani
Peugeot Classification Pool Women
SN Suns JC 34 Sliema Wanderers 54
(8-12)(15-8)(6-17)(5-17)
Sliema returned to winning ways, as both sides ended their commitments this season. Suns enjoyed a brief period of supremacy, as they ended the first part of the match in front, but as in all their previous games this whole season, they again had to concede defeat. Sliema were without two of their players, Lonike Calleja and Francesca Farrugia, who were suspended, after their dismissal the game before.
The Wanderers made a good opening, going into a 6-2 lead, but Suns managed to draw level, at 8-8, as Petra Zammit put in her hoops. Till the end of the quarter Sliema went into another advantage, making their free shots, with Jeanelle Lentini on court from the start of the match.
In the second session Sliema increased their lead at the start, but Suns' treys began going in. At first it was Diane Falzon and Nicolette Buhagiar, to reduce the arrears. Sliema kept their lead till the latter stages of the period, when Lilian Cremona put Suns ahead, and a second Falzon trey closed down the quarter. Suns were leading 23-20 at the interval.
After the break Sliema didn't take long to go back in front again, and an 11-2 run, as Lentini led the Wanderers' attack, permitted Sliema to forge ahead. Suns made a reaction, to go near, but it was Leanne Sciberras for Sliema, in the last stages of the session, to put her side further ahead, and lead 37-29, after three sessions.
In the last quarter Suns faded away, and Sliema went on imposing their dominance. A 10-0 run took the game beyond Suns' reach, but the latter made a last effort, and Nicolette Buhagiar put in her second trey. Sliema finished off the match, as Michela Loporto sank her side's only trey.
SUNS: 10 Diane Falzon, 8 Petra Zammit, 8 Maria Agius
SLIEMA: 20 Jeanelle Lentini, 14 Leanne Sciberras
REFEREES: Alfred Carbonaro, Anthony Micallef
Kerygma 43 Luxol 44
(11-9)(8-9)(15-18)(9-8)
The last match in this category provided an interesting finale. Both sides held a lead several times throughout the match, and they were also close to each other for the duration of the encounter. Kerygma looked to have made it, but Luxol preserved their unbeaten sequence in this Pool, thouth they were already sure of winning it.
Elaine Cutajar was still missing for Kerygma, but Renette Debono turned out, after missing their last encpounter. Luxol had two missing players, on suspension, Mandy Sciortino and Justine Mangion.
The match had a slow start, pointswise, as there was plenty of running. Kerygma overcame a Luxol lead, after a Lara Cauchi trey. The Violets replied with a trey of their own, by Psaila Savona. Kerygma went back into the lead, and held it till the end of the session.
Kerygma held on to their advantage in the second quarter, increasing their lead to a 15-10 score. The Violets tied, but fell behind once more. Psaila Savona, who won the Player of the Month award for April, gave Luxol a lead, but Kerygma ended the quarter on a minimal, low, 19-18 advantage, at the interval.
After the break both sides improved on their shooting. A Kirsten Micallef trey tied the score for Luxol, and then a 10-2 run permitted the Violets to establish a 32-25 advantage. Kerygma rallied, and a 9-0 run, with a couple of treys from Josette Calleja, overturned the score, only for Luxol to start the last quarter, after a second Micallef trey, on a 36-34 score.
In the final session Cauchi's second trey gave Kerygma a lead, and a little later on it was Josette Calleja, and her third trey, as Kerygma were leading 42-40. Luxol were always near, and after having tied the score, it was Kerygma who once more went in front. The match was decided by NIcola Said's hoop for Luxol, though there was enough time at both ends, for further points.
KERYGMA: 21 Josette Calleja, 11 Amanda Farrugia
LUXOL: 16 Francesca Psaila Savona, 14 Kirsten Micallef
REFEREES: Jean Paul Sammut Jennifer Mangani


Men 2 Div. League - Play Off Final 1
Mellieha SVS 50 Loyola Xuereb Installations 43
(13-5)(7-18)(19-8)(11-12)
The two sides were contesting their first ever championship final. It was a game of errors, in which some of the players on both sides were feeling the effect of an important match. The experience at Mellieha's end carried off the result against the youth and exhuberance of the Loyola outfit.
Mellieha were marking their fifth win in six matches against Loyola, this season, although that single loss cost them the K.O. title.
There was a slow start to the match, with Samuel Aquilina making the first Mellieha hoop, after failed attempts at both ends. Lotola went into a lead, through Graham Coleiro, but Mellieha replied well, ans beginning with a Julian Naudi trey, they made up an 11-2 run, which took them to the end of the quarter, on a good lead.
In the second session both sides traded baskets, but a Michael Pisani trey for Mellieha gave them an 18-9 advantage. When it seemed that Mellieha had the game under control they started to miss their shots, ans Loyola were heartened by close range hoops, in a 10-0 run. This was finally stopped by a Saviour Magro hoop, but Loyola replied again, to hold a 23-20 low score at the interval.
After the break Mellieha didn't take long to level the score, but they were hit again by a Jean Falzon trey. Mellieha recovered again, and with the experience of Julian Naudi and Michael Pisani, they went 30-27 in front. Lyola did manage to tie the score, but Mellieha were combining better, and Pisani's points were still going in, as they completed a 9-1 run, to lead 39-31 after three sessions.
In the last quarter Loyola dragged themselves back, and a Clint Grixti trey brought them within reach. Mellieha recuperated, and slowly extended their lead again. Loyola's reaction didn't bring them near enough, despite Ben Aquilina's jitters in the Mellieha side. When Loyola tried to stop the clock, Mellieha's free shots took them away enough to make Michel Farrugia's trey irrelevant in the last seconds. Mellieha took first blood, and now are strong favourites to land the championship title.
MELLIEHA: 2 S. Magro, M. Cauchi, 16 J. Naudi, 7 S. Aquilina, 12 M. Pisani, J. MUscat, B. Aquilina, 6. J. Aquilina, M. Camilleri, I. Terribile, S. Grima, 7 R. Loporto
LOYOLA: 6 M. farrugia, G. Micallef, J. Vella, 5 J. Falzon, 8 B. Soler, J. Vassallo, 6 S. Vella, S. Pace, 3 C. Grixti, 5 J. ransley, 10 G. Coleiro
REFEREES: Emanuel Mangani, Alfred Carbonaro