Mosta 69
SN Suns 54
(10-7)(19-16)(14-14)(26-17)
A keenly contested match at the start swung Mosta’s way in the final quarter as Suns’ mistakes were dealt with by an experienced Mosta side who are chasing their first title, as are Suns.
Actually the final is being contested by the third and fourth teams in the final standings. After a cautious start Mosta opened up the game with a 7-0 run, including a Rueben Abela trey, before Suns could start their tally. Although Mosta recovered it was Suns who continued to reduce their deficit and it was a 10-7 match after the first session.
In the second session Mosta gained the upper hand once more. They quickly increased their lead before Suns could rally to a 13-17 deficit, but Mosta’s Sassoon Saakian was sinking his shots and they increased their advantage once more.
Suns replied through Reno Camilleri but Mosta always remained in the lead, and at the interval it was a 29-23 match.
After the break Mosta kept their lead despite Mark Schembri’s trey for Suns. Then it was Mosta’s turn for treys and Suns’ efforts, which brought them closer but not enough and Mosta were ahead on a 43-37 score.
In the last quarter Suns’ pressure paid off as they continued the good work of the previous session, and they overturned the score, at 44-43 but Suns’ impetus died down and Mosta started their trek back.
A 21-3 run gave them breathing space as the time started to wind down. Although Suns added on more points at the end Mosta’s lead was substantial and Mosta started on the road for this First Division title.
Mosta: B Portelli. R Abela 9, S Schembri, S Saakians 15, R Muscat 27, J Paris, M Spiteri 7, O Sammut 8, C Bonnici, K Fabri 3.
Suns: A Camilleri, K Genovese, R Camilleri, A Borg 5, M Schembri 17, G Bugeja 10, R Buhagiar, R Camilleri 10, E Baldacchino, A Bantrick 12.
Referees: Carlo Farrugia, Alfred Carbonaro.
Symbolic action by football and basketball referees
The Malta Football Referees Association and the Malta Basketball Referees Association have decided to take symbolic action to condemn the violent acts witnessed recently while at the same time appealing for calm and respect towards the sport officials.
In a statement issued over the signature of Adrian D. Casha (MFRA secretary) and Jean Paul Sammut (chairman MBRA), the two associations said they are hoping to create a national conscience by insisting that without referees, no sport can be played.
Therefore, today and tomorrow, before matches at the weekend, officials will be wearing jerseys displaying the slogan ‘No referees no sport – respect please’.
They said this was being done because they wished sport to move forward and do not want to see local sport ending without referees.
They also took the opportunity to appeal to the clubs to control better their players, officials and supporters, while emphasising that violence can never be justified.