Willie Vassallo

 

Gzira Athleta      60

Caffe Moak Luxol     54   

(12-14, 18-19, 12-7, 18-14)

The two sides were already meeting for the third time this season. Athleta had beaten Luxol to win the Super Cup but the Violets tasted sweet revenge with a victory in a  previous Shield match.

This win permits Athleta to defend the same title won last season - their only victory in the Shield.  Athleta had missing players Julia Schembri Stephanie Pisani and Marie Pollacco. Luxol recovered Ina Baena Medina who missed their last encounter.

The opening stages of the game had Athleta making points and starting with a Beverlee Zammit triple and Luxol responding to every opponent hoop.

Luxol then embarked on a three hoop spread as Christina Curmi was positive in the zone. Antoinette Borg netted an Athleta trey but Baena Medina also sank a Luxol triple in return as the Violets kept their noses in front.

In the second period, Curmi extended Luxol's advantage with Athleta cutting down on their deficit soon after. Sarah Pace nailed a Luxol triple but a 7-0 Athleta run brought them closer.

Luxol were still ahead although Zammit netted a second trey as Athleta finished the session on a 30-33 score at the interval.

After the break, an 8-2 run pushed Athleta ahead after quite some time in arrears with Borg and Amelia Simmons hoops. Luxol twice tied the score but Athleta finished the session in front with a Sharon Vella hoop at 42-40.

In the last quarter Denise Said Hollier was next in making a trey but Luxol pressed to make up an 8-2 run which took them ahead.

When Athleta had Borg sinking a second triple Luxol couldn't answer back and Athleta put in further points as Simmons closed down the match with her free shots.

Athleta will be meeting Hibernians in the final with the two sides meeting for the first time this season.

Athleta: B. Zammit 9, L. Duncan 5, A. Simmons 17,  D. Said Hollier 7, A. Borg 12, S. Vella 10, E. Pace, C. Mifsud

Luxol: S. Pace 13, C. Borg Millo, I. Baena Medina 3, N. Vella , A. Plummer 10, K. Portelli ,  P. Ellul 4, C. Sollami,  M. Darmanin 6, C. Curmi 18

Referees:  E. Mangani, I. Simic, I. Marjanovic