Malta were badly mauled by an energetic Andorra side who easly swept aside the locals’ feeble efforts at making a game of it.

Andorra took command from the start and Malta were hit badly with an adverse 2-19 run. They never recovered although they limited the damage in the second quarter and a spate of treys hiked up their score.

Still, at the interval Andorra boasted a strong 53-18 lead.

After the break the Maltese were left staring as Andorra really let fly. Two good runs at 13-2 and 18-1 pushed Andorra into an awesome lead. Their fast play showed the locals’ limitation and the century was a mere formality in the last session, even if Andorra started getting careless in their play.

The Maltese managed some good moves at the end but the damage had already been done, well before that time and Andorra must be considered as joint favourites, with Scotland, to win this tournament.

Today is a rest day and Malta plays San Marino tomorrow for a possible fifth placing.

Malta: G. Muscat, C. Busuttil 2, JP Antonich, T.Vella, C. Cassar 2, K. Galea, S.Deguara, C. Calleja 3, E. Lupo 6, M. Sholts 6, L. Ross 13, JP Bonnici 6

Other results:

Group A: Wales-Gibraltar 84-48

Group B: San Marino-Monaco 64-80; Luxembourg-Scotland 67-73

Scotland wll now play Wales and Luxembourg play Andorra for top placings.