Mellieha made heavy weather in beating bottom-club Floriana, their third win over their opponents this season. Mellieha jumped temporarily to the top of the standings, although with a game more than Qormi, but their form has fallen these last few weeks. In the first session Mellieha could only manage a couple of hoops as Floriana started and ended the quarter with a trey, to lead in the game. the next session saw the Greens increasing their lead, sinking yet another trey, but from then onwards, till the interval, it was Mellieha who started gaining ground. They amassed a 14-0 run, to lead by a low 18-15 score at half time.

After the break the scoring and play improved. Mellieha increased their advantage, going to a 30-20 score, but Floriana kept in touch, although being hit again by a Robert Loporto trey. After three sessions Mellieha were 35-27 in front. The last quarter found Floriana still chasing, and midway through, a series of treys , especially from Pierre Attard, put them just 40-43 behind. Mellieha recovered with an 11-0 run, starting with a Loporto trey, and made the issue safe. Time then petered out, with Mellieha happy with the two points and Floriana pleased with the result.

Floriana: 13 Pierre Attard

Mellieha: 17 Robert Loporto, 12 Joshua Aquilina

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Leonard Falzon

Qormi Kia 64

Mosta 54

(18-16)(12-16)(20-6)(14-16)

Qormi once again went to the top of the table, after a hand-earned win over Mosta, who still hung on to third place. It was Qormi’s third victory over Mosta this season, including a Shield Final.

A better opening by Qormi gave them a 7-2 lead and they kept their distance midway through the session, when Mosta started to click and Ray Muscat trey started an 8-0 run to claim the lead but two late hoops restored Qormi’s advantage in the first session. Qormi continued in the second quarter, going to a 25-16 lead but then had to suffer Mosta’s good patch, with a number of treys but Qormi were not ar behind and Mosta suddenly slumped and didn’t manage a further point till the end of the session, as Qormi went on a rampage and a strong 16-0 run ensured them a good 50-38 lead after three sessions. The final quarter saw Mosta make an early attempt to get within range again. this they did but not enough for them as Qormi always managed to reply. After Matthew Bonnici’s trey for Mosta it was Qormi again with their free shots who increased their lead making the game safe, despite Mosta’s late burst.

Qormi: 19, Keith Scicluna, 11, Simon Cauchi, 11, Adrian Baldacchino

Mosta: 14, Ray Muscat

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Stephen Micallef

Standings: 13 Qormi Kia (6-1), 12 Mellieha SVS (5-2), 11 Mosta (4-3), 10 SN Suns Bell Med (4-2), 7 Loyola Xuereb Inst. (1-5), 7 Floriana (0-7)