Mellieha SVS 37

Qormi Kia 52

(9-15) (13-13) (6-18) (19-16)

Qormi made sure of their top placing with their third seasonal win over Mellieha, in a low scoring game, where Mark Sultana once again went on court for Qormi, in his come-back after a long lay-off from injury.

Qormi had a flying start, with a 13-1 run, as Nello Xuereb has inserted himself well in his new team.

Mellieha recovered with an 8-0 run, and then kept on reducing their deficit in the second session. Qormi’s reaction was strong, with an 11-3 run but Mellieha had a good ending to the session, and at the interval it was Qormi on a 28-22 score.

The third session after the break, was a low tone one. Both sides were erratic in their conclusions, as Qormi held on to their lead, and Mellieha were unable to get any nearer, but in the last quarter Qormi made sure early, with a 7-0 run, as Nello Xuereb sank his fourth trey.

Mellieha’s efforts to get back in the game didn’t bring the desired results, and Qormi could control their opponents till the final buzzer, to match up their seventh win in eight games.

Mellieha: 10 Graham Coleiro

Qormi: 22 Nello Xuereb, 12 Keith Scicluna

Referees: Stephen Micallef, Mark Camilleri

Mosta 68

Floriana 62

(4-16) (19-9) (22-20) (23-17)

Mosta’s positive run continued with their third straight win, and are now firmly in line for a place in the playoffs. They also avenged three previous defeats this season against the Greens.

But it was Floriana who had the better start, with an 11-0 run in the first session. After increasing their lead at the start of the second session Mosta came back.

Although Floriana extended their lead, to a 25-12 score, it was Mosta who compiled an 11-0 run till the end of the session, with a couple of Reuben Abela treys, it was a close 25-23 game for Floriana at the interval.

After the break Mosta did not take long to forge ahead but a three basket run put Floriana back in front again, on 33-31. Mosta got struck in again and went ahead only to be overhauled by the Greens by the end of the third quarter.

In the last session after Mosta went in front, with an Oliver Sammut trey, Floriana spent the remaining time chasing their opponents to no avail. They went close several times, but Mosta held out to jump into the third spot in the standings.

Mosta: 21 Sassoun Saakian, 19 Ray Muscat, 16 Oliver Sammut

Floriana: 18 Roberto Formosa, 14 Adrian Baldacchino, 14 Michael Amaira

Referees: Carlo Farrugia, Alfred Baldacchino