Luxol had Chris Sammut missing, injured in the last match while Hamrun recovered Albert Spiteri only on the bench, but had two players missing, Omar Said and Jide Jetson.

In a fast game, it was Luxol who went first in front to finish the first session 17-13 in front. At the end of the second session, Luxol were still in command as they led 34-29 at the interval. After the break the Violets consolidated their lead and maintained their slight lead: 52-48.

In the final session, Hamrun took over and a good 10-0 run saw the champions turning the tables in their favour, winning the session 24-5 for an overall final score of 72-57 in their favour.

Luxol: M. Mercieca 6, R. Azzopardi 11, M. Micallef, R. Schembri 2, C. Pulis, R. Dalli, D. Schembri 9, E. Caruana Montaldo, S. Cassar 16, S. Schembri 13.

Hamrun: S. Pace 17, K. Borg 8, D. Camilleri 13, A. Spiteri, A. Borg, A. Portelli 11, A. Bonnici 23, N. Falzon, C. Grixti.

Refs: Stephen Micallef, Jean Paul Sammut.

Siggiewi Smina 57

Depiro Kyocera 74

(13-18, 10-17, 17-14, 17-25)

Depiro’s victory assured them of one of the four semi-final berths.

Depiro prevailed in three of the four sessions, taking the lead (18-13) by the end of the first and extending it by a further seven points by the end of the second session: to 35-23.

After the break, Siggiewi were aware that they had to get closer to make an impact in the final session. They started doing their job by Don Ross and JP Azzopardi hit them with treys and Depiro held on to a good nine-point lead.

In the final session, after a good start, Depiro maintained their superiority to end comfortable winners.

Siggiewi: R. Mifsud 2, S. Sammut 9, L. Camilleri 4, J. Doughty 2, H. Agius, M. Barberi, P. Shoults 19, JP Bonnici 2, P. Ferrante 2, S. Saakian 11, A. Huizer 6, E. Xuereb.

Depiro: R. Vella 20, J. Vassallo 2, J. Rodriguez, C. Bugeja, C. Agius, J. Vella 3, M. Ciantar, JP Azzopardi 14, E. Lupo 7, D. Ross 23, M. Mallia, D. Agius 5.

Refs: C. Farrugia, E. Mangani.