Gatorade League 1 Div. Men

Compleet IS SW 44 Siggiewi Smina 69

(12-15)(12-12)(9-21)(11-21)

Compleet didn't start the defence of their league title on a right note. They were soundly beaten by a Siggiewi side who grew in stature as the game progressed. Compleet were not their usual selves, ans Siggiewi exploited cracks in defence, not frequently seen in Compleet matches.

Compleet had Etienne Bezzina injured, but Duncan Cuschieri turned out, after missing their first match, against Bupa. Albert Spiteri is still unavailable for Siggiewi.

Louis Camilleri began with a trey and further points for Siggiewi, but Compleet first went to a point down, at 6-7, then a Michael Naudi trey gave them the lead. Siggiewi rallied to go in front again, and a Kristinn Baldacchino trey for Compleet was not enough, as Siggiewi held on, with an Abraham Portelli hoop, for a first-session lead.

Siggiewi had Portelli's free shots to extend their advantage in the second quarter, to a 21-14 score. Compleet grimly stuck to their task, and a hard-earned 10-2 run brought them a brief lead. Siggiewi rallied till the end of the session, as JP Bonnici's free throws and Portelli's hoop gave them a 27-24 advantage at the interval.

David Camilleri found his 3-point touch at the start of the third quarter, with two efforts, and Siggiewi managed a long 13-2 run, ending with a third Camilleri trey. Compleet tried hard, but Siggiewi remained steadfast. Their good lead kept them on till the end of the session, on a 48-33 scoreCompleet didn't have an adequate reply in the final session, as Siggiewi were riding the crest of the wave. An Addison Bonnici trey in a 7-1 opening run left Compleet stranded, and Siggiewi were swinging the ball around rapidly. Compleet were a beaten lot at the end, as Siggiewi started off their league campaign with a bang.

Compleet: 11 M. Naudi, J. Zammit, 1 C. Calleja, J. Galea, 3 T. Riolo, 1 O. said, 6 A. Micallef, D, Cuschieri, 3 K. Baldacchino, 15 S. Cassar, 4 R. Mifsud

Siggiewi: B. Zammit, 10 L. Camilleri, 16 D. Camilleri, 3 J. Doughty, 22 A. Portelli, 4 I. Mercieca, 8 P. Shoults, 2 JP Bonnici, 4 A. Bonnici, JP Antoncic, I. Stefanovic, L. Camilleri

Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Gordon Barbara, Jean Paul Sammut

Gatorade League 1 Div. Men

Bupa 82 Mellieha SVS Reflections 50

(19-11)(22-13)(9-12)(32-14)

Bupa made short shrift, after a minor scare at the start, of a Mellieha side, who are tasting the hardship of life in the top division. They have a number of experienced players, but other teams have healthier benches. Bupa's all-round superiority resulted in a comfortable win, in this second Gatorade league match.

Bupa were with their standard formation, but they were facing two ex-players, Chris Sammut and Jide Jetson. Mellieha also included new signing, Steve Sammut, to team up with his brother, and Samuel Aquilina returned from injury, for his first match this season, and also joins his two other brothers.

Bupa made a quick start, with a 6-2 lead, with Alan Borg hoops. Mellieha rallied back, and some incisive play, and personal Julian Naudi points, including a trey, gave them an unexpected 11-8 advantage. Bupa took over again, and a sequence of Steve Schembri points, nine in all, with two treys, completed a strong 11-0 run.

In the second quarter Chris Sammut sank a trey for Mellieha, as they sought to stem Bupa's onslaught. They had a reply at first, but then Matijevic was making points under the board, and an 8-0 run pushed Bupa away from their opponents. Mellieha recovered once more, but their 6-2 run was replied to from Bupa at the end, and at the interval the Violets were leading 41-24.

After the break the scoring went down considerably. Mellieha managed a couple of successive treys, from Naudi and Michael Pisani, but Bupa relied on Dirk Schembri, as he made all his side's points. Mellieha were unable to make significant inroads in the score, and after three sessions Bupa were still holding a 50-36 advantage.

The last quarter was in Bupa's hands. Starting with treys by Steve Schembri and Robert Azzopardi, they ran up an 11-0 break. Mellieha made a brace of Naudi free shots, but Azzopardi was still putting in his treys, as Bupa's lead escalated. Both teams finished the game with their bench players on court, and points were more plentiful.

Bupa: S. Mizzi , 6 M. Mercieca, 13 R. Azzopardi, 3 M. MIcallef, 4 A. Borg, A. Bianchi, M. Bonnici, 3 T. Paris, 14 D. Schembri, E. Caruana Montaldo, 24 M. Matijevic, 15 S. Schembri

Mellieha: S. Magro, 13 J. Naudi, 6 S. Sammut, 4 S. Aquilina, E. Xuereb, 9 C. Sammut, 2 B. Aquilina, J. Aquilina, 5 M. Pisani, 4 T. Degiorgio, 2 J. Jetson, 5 R. Loporto

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Stephen MIcallef, Alfred Carbonaro

Gatorade League Men 1 Div

Depiro 68 Floriana 45

(15-8)(21-19)(13-9)(19-9)

The start of the Gatorade League, early on in the season, produced a Depiro win, as they overcame a Floriana side, who promised much at first, but faded away in the second part of the match, despite Sassoun Saakian's valiant efforts throughout. Depiro' sstart to the season has now brought them two wins against supposedly somewhat similar opposition.

Depiro had Marko Arsovski missing, back home in Macedonia , for an operation. They included their new signing, Ian Terribile, in lieu of the injured David Agius. Floriana had Milan Pajicjust a spectator for this match, till his status is finally settled.

The Greens were disjointed at first, and Depiro took the opportunity to sink in a 12-1 run, with an accurate Antoine Costa and Isaac Tanti. When Floriana based their play on Saakian, it paid dividends, as he helped his side to a session-ending 7-3 run, although the Greens were hit by a Roderick Vella trey.

In the second quarterthe entrance of terribile on court brought a couple of treys, but these were nullified by Gareth Gilson's brace of treys for the Greens, for a close 23-17 score for Depiro. The latter recovered with a 7-0 run, and a second Vella trey. Gilson kept up his three-point exploits for Floriana, who were giving a good account of themselves. At the interval it was Depiro, at 36-27.

After the break both teams weren't so accurate as before. Floriana's Saakian brought his side closer, but late in the session Depiro made a 9-0 run, to break clear again. Saakian's last hoop of the session made it a 49-36 score.

In the final quarter Floriana kept pace for a while, but Depiro's lead remained constant. The Greens began to feel the pace of the match, and suffered a telling 0-12 reverse, with athird Vella trey. Karl Borg was ejected with a second unsportsmanlike foul, and the Greens were left behind, as the time trickled away, for a handsome Depiro victory.

Depiro: 18 R. Vella, D. Debono, 3 M. Sammut, 2 G. Muscat, A. Aquilina, 6 A. Tabone, 7 C. Cassar, 9 E. Lupo, 6 A. Costa, 9 I. Tanti, 8 I. Terribile

Floriana: K. Mifsud, 6 N. falzon, R. Spiteri, 1 B. Riolo, 2 K. Borg, 13 G. Gilson, 1 A. Sultana, 22 S. Saakian

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Jean Paul Sammut, Alfred Carbonaro

MBA Shield 2 Div. Men

Valletta Ballers 58 Qormi Kia 71

(13-7)(13-26)(12-14)(20-24)

The two teams provided an interesting match, which went Qormi's way, for their third successive win, and this puts them in the Shield semis. They recovered well from a good Valletta opening, and never relinquished their lead. The Citizens were an improvement on their first competitive encounter.

Valletta introduced more ex-players, such as Ivan Riolo and Karl Cucciardi on court, and Ray Mizzi to guide the team from the bench. Qormi recovered Adrian Baldacchino, who missed their second match.

The Citizens had an auspicious start, with Riolo gaining their first three hoops, and then Don Ross took over, including a trey, for a 13-2 lead. Qormi had Vince Spiteri to pull them back, with his free shots, but Valletta were still in front.

The second session was a different proposition. At first Valletta not only held on to their lead, but a Mark Pace trey gave them a 22-14 advantage. From then on Qormi were in command, and a decisive 15-0 run, with Spiteri and Antoine Grech to the fore, put them ahead. Valletta made a reaction, but at the interval it was Qormi on a 33-26 lead.

Valletta opened strongly after the break, and a 7-0 run tied the score. Qormi rallied back, and a Grech trey, in a 10-2 run, restored their lead. Riolo sank a trey for Valletta , but Qormi replied with a couple of hoops, for a 47-38 advantage, after three sessions.

In the final quarter Antoine Grech's second trey extended Qormi's lead. Don Ross pulled Valletta back to within a point, at 49-50. The Citizens couldn't go in front, though, as they were hit by three Keith Scicluna fast breaks, in an 8-0 run, to put Qormi clear again. They then controlled the rest of the match.

Valletta : 19 Don Ross, 17 Ivan Riolo

Qormi: 23 Antoine Grech, 12 KeithScicluna, 12 Vince Spiteri

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Clive Terribile

Mosta 43 St. James Hospital 71

(12-18)(13-18)(2-14)(16-21)

St. James obtained their second win in a row, and are in line for a semi final place. They gradually took command over Mosta, and then imposed their style of play, to break clear of their opponents. Mosta were suffering their second defeat in three matches, and jeopardised their chances of a last four placing.

St. James bolstered their side with the inclusion of Steve Pace. It was a balanced match at first, with Mosta coming from behind, to tie at 7-7, with an Adrian Pace trey. Then it was St. James who started putting in their treys, from different players, Joe Vella, Steve Pace and Clint Grixti, and they were in front after the opening quarter.

In the second session, after an early Steve Gouder hoop for Mosta, it was the Saints, with a good 13-2 run, and more treys by Shawn and Steve Pace, which put them 31-16 in front. There was a Mosta reaction, and a Joe Vassallo trey, but promptly replied to by a second Shawn Pace trey. Till the end of the period Oliver Sammut made another trey for Mosta, who were still trailing 25-36 at the interval.

After the break it was a one-sided affair, scorewise. Mosta could only gain a couple of free shots, to answer to the Saints' opening hoop, and then it was a tale of Saints increasing their lead without any reply from their adversaries. A 13-0 run went on till the end of the quarter, to give St. James a substantial 50-27 advantage.

Mosta rallied a little at the start of the last session, but St. james pressed once more, to run up a 13-2 break, with a second Grixti trey. The latter part of the match produced a spate of treys and points at both ends. Oliver Sammut bagged two treys for Mosta, and Shawn Pace did likewise for the Saints, as they recorded a second good victory.

Mosta: 12 Steve Gouder

St. james: 16 Shawn Pace, 16 Steve Pace, 10 Clint Grixti

referees: Jean Paul sammut, Stephen Micallef

MBA Shield Women B

Luxol 41 Depiro 50

(11-17)(12-11)(10-10)(8-12)

Depiro's first match of the season was a hard-fought affaair against Luxol. Depiro were nearly always in front, and their only deficit lasted for a few seconds. Luxol were close or just about throughout the match, but Depiro always seemed to have enough in store, to make the game their own.

Justine Mangion returned for Luxol, after her suspension from last season, but Mandy Sciortino still has a game to go. Depiro included new signing, Renette Debono, and upgraded Kelly Busuttil from the junior ranks.

Depiro obtained their first points, mainly through Abigail Sciberras, in the zone. Sarah Pace was also involved, and sank a trey, which had an instant reply from Beverlee zammit. Luxol recovered and went to just a point in arrears, but Depiro's second trey, from Greta Zarb, gave them a better lead.

In the second sessionDepiro seemed to be going away from their opponents, opening up their lead to double figures. Luxol changed tactics, and the introduction of Julienne Attard started off a small 6-2 run, towards the end of the session. The Violets went nearer, at 23-28 behind, at the interval.

After the break Luxol opened with a Psaila Savona trey, and this led to a 7-0 run, as they went in front for the first time. Sciberras restored Depiro's lead, with her points, and Debono's first points pushed Depiro enough ahead to absorb Bev Zammit's second trey for Luxol. After three sessions it was 38-33 to Depiro.

A Greta Zarb trey and hoop at the start of the last quarterconsolidated Depiro's lead, and Luxol had an uphill task. Bev Zammit sank her third trey, but Depiro's Sciberraswas dominant under the boards. Her side kept the lead, and Zarb's third trey killed off the game for Luxol, as they had too much of a leeway to make up.

Luxol: 18 Beverlee Zammit

Depiro: 17 Abigail Sciberras

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Alfred Carbonaro

MBA Shield Women A

Hibs Medsea 69 St. James Hospital 36

(23-8)(14-7)(16-12)(16-9)

Hibs ground out another good performance, as their players know each other well, despite the new addition of Kirsten Micallef. They also had Maria Desira as their main threat, with some sterling work in the paint. St. James scraped through against Kerygma, but the Paolites were a different proposition, and the Saints had to bow their heads to a superior outfit.

The champions had Caroline Fenech and young Kirsty Tonna missing, being abroad. Hibs went out in a determined mood, and promptly put in a 7-0 run, ending with a Dporeen Parnis trey. The Saints tried to get in the game, and recovered a bit midway through the session, but the Paolites dominated once more, late in the quarter, to post an 8-0 run, as Alexis Darmanin helped Parnis, and their side, to break clear in the opening period.

In the second session Hibs grabbed more points, including a Nadia Mifsud trey. St. James finally got their act together, and a 7-0 run, ending with an Adalia Bonanno trtey, made it a 28-15 game. The champions recovered quickly, and their flowing play secured a 9-0 run, with a Kirsten Micallef trey, which brought the interval score to 37-15.

After the break St. James improved on their pley. An Annabelle Busuttil trey was sson replied to, as Maria Desira and Darmanin had an adequate reply for the Paolites. The Saints found scoring easier in this session, but Hibs' Micallef sank her second trey, and after three sessions the champions led 53-27.

The final session was an open one. It was Hibs with the better start, a 9-3 run, with treys by Francesca Tabone and Darmanin. St. James rallied midway through the quarter, and then both teams shared the play, but the scoring died down, as the champions ambled through to a semi final place.

Hibs: 20 Maria Desira, 14 Alexis Darminin, 13 Doreen Parnis, 10 Kirsten Micallef

St. James: 9 Sammy Jo Barbara

Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Jean Paul Sammut

MBA Shield Women A

Kerygma 61 SN Suns JC 32

(14-6)(17-7)(10-13)(20-6)

Kerygma recovered from their single point loss to St. James last week, to hand Suns their second defeat. Kerygma obtained a comfortable advantage in the first part of the match, and although hassled by Suns, they could keep control of the game till the end.

Kerygma included another Gozitan, Carla Vella, besides Cynthia Saliba. Suns had some missing players, such as Petra Zammit, Lilian Cremona and Elvia Granata.

Kerygma took the game in hand from the start, with a good 13-0 lead, and treys by Josette Calleja and Lara Cauchi. When Suns settled down their freeshots, in a long 6-0 run, were only stopped at the end of the session , by a lone Calleja free throw.

In the second quarter Kerygma were once more in command, and a 9-0 run, with another Calleja trey, midway through the period, extended their advantage. Suns managed to hit back, and a Maria Agius trey, right at the end of the session, brought a 31-13 score to Kerygma, at the interval.

After the break a third Calleja trey started the proceedings, but Suns had other ideas. Their free throws began a rewarding quarter, and it was Kerygma who were chasing the points. Diane Falzon led Suns' charge, and they had a good ending to the session, despite a fourth Calleja trey, for a 41-26 Kerygma lead.

The final quarter was again in Kerygma's grip. They suffered the first free shot, but then compiled a 10-3 run. Towards the end of the match a further 8-0 run emphasised their superiority, to land their first seasonal victory.

Kertgma: 23 Josette Calleja, 10 Cynthia Saliba

Suns: 9 Maria Agius

Referees: Stephen Micallef, Clive Terribile