Honey Athleta 37

Ergon Projects Luxol 38

(6-4)(15-15)(10-9)(6-10)

In another low-score match, and despite playing atrociously at times, Luxol just managed to achieve a result, and get the better of an Athleta side, who should have, but did not, win the game.

It was theirs for the taking but when it came to the crunch, Athleta found the match too big for them, and let it get out of their grasp.

Luxol must thank their lucky stars that the two teams above them will not open up the distance once more. Since their Shield success, they have never regained their previous form, which had made them such a feared team. Athleta will surely not have another similar occasion to beat a highly quoted side.

Athleta were without Denelza Bayliss and Marouska Azzopardi Duca, while Luxol had Justine Mangion and Louisa Serge both missing.

The game had a very timid start, as regards points scored. It was Julianne Attard who made the first Luxol hoop, but Francesca Farrugia put in her points for Athleta, who forged in front, and they kept their lead till the end of the session, despite a late Bev. Zammit basket, as the points were few and far between.

In the second period the play improved at both ends, with Athleta still holding on to their advantage till the late stages.

With the Violets chasing their adversaries, it was Athleta on a 13-8 lead, midway through the session, after a 7-2 run.

Luxol then showed signs of a recovery, and treys by Bev. Zammit and Psaila Savona put them on a level score, at 16-16.

Soon afterwards Emma Moore put the Violets ahead for the first time, just before the final minute, but they didn’t enjoy their lead long, as a three-point play by Leanne Sciberras pushed Athleta to a 21-19 halftime advantage.

The play fell down a level again after the break, as the Violets went back to their old failings. Athleta managed to eke out a better lead, at 26-19, with Luxol unable to muster a point, till late in the quarter.

It was Bev. Zammit who pulled the Violets back with a couple of treys in a matter of seconds, but they didn’t make the breakthrough, as Athleta increased their lead once more.

Zammit sank a fourth trey, making all of Luxol’s points in this period, but Athleta were still 31-28 in front with a session to go.

The Honey outfit were hanging on, with the Violets looking jittery as time passed. Points were still hard to obtain, but Psaila Savona pulled Luxol up by the hair, with a hoop and a trey, Mandi Sciortino gave them another lead, and Bev. Zammit extended their advantage.

Although Lonike Calleja reduced the deficit to a single point the Violets just held out their possession, to claim a win which was a generous outcome, given their performance, and a bitter pill to swallow to the Athleta lasses, going so near, and yet so far at the end.

Athleta: 10 Leanne Sciberras, 8 Lonike Calleja, 8 Dana McKeon, 9 Francesca Farrugia

Luxol: 16 Beverlee Zammit, 11 Francesca Psaila Savona

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Anthony Micallef