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, 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 session, Luxol were in complete command, as they piled in a 16-0 run. 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, as 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 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 four players 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. 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

* * * 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. But 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, 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