Luxol displayed the form that earned them the KO a week before, confirming the excellent period they are passing through. A high scoring game ensued, with Siggiewi only really coming into the match at the end, when Luxol were already sure of the result.

Siggiewi had Sassoun Saakian and Roderick Mifsud missing on disciplinary measures, but there was the return of Marco Pisani, who spent some time on loan to Pembroke last season, and was playing his first seasonal match.

A balanced opening saw Siggiewi holding the lead for some time, but Luxol replied with a Dirk Schembri trey, to stay just behind. When Siggiewi were 14-11 ahead up popped Steve Schembri, potting eight personal points.

Luxol continued from there to open up their lead till the end of the session.

In the second session Luxol sank more hoops before Siggiewi could reply, and the Violets enjoyed a 37-21 lead. Siggiewi were back in the game with a 10-4 run, but Chris Sammut had a say in Luxol's revival, also netting a trey. Both sides made free shots, as Luxol went in at half-time, on a 49-33 lead.

After the break Siggiewi were really taken to town. When it wasn't the Schembri brothers piling up the score it was Chris Sammut and Marco Mercieca to pierce Siggiewi's fragile defence at will.

A 20-2 break set Luxol's minds at rest, although they will remember the KO final, and how it very nearly ended in disaster. After three sessions the score was a hefty 78-40 in their favour.

In the final quarter Luxol seemed to stay on the same course, but after a Chris Sammut trey it was Siggiewi who came bang into the game, although it was too late for them. Still they managed a 12-0 run, and after a Robert Azzopardi trey for Luxol, Siggiewi came up with another 11-0 run. The game was then shared by both teams till the end, as Luxol went nearer to a play-off spot.

Siggiewi: 25 Louis Camilleri, 18 Peter Shoults

Luxol:24 Steve Schembri, 23 Dirk Schembri, 18 Chris Sammut, 16 Marco Mercieca

Referees: Stephen Micallef, Gordon Barbara

Depiro Kyocera 60

Pembroke 73

(16-19)(15-15)(15-20)(14-19)

This was Pembroke's second victory over Depiro after two defeats earlier on in the season, showing that Depiro are capable of giving their opponents a harrowing time. It was only in the latter part of the last session that Pembroke could set their minds at rest, as Depiro were never far away throughout the whole match, and even enjoyed leads,

Pembroke struck first with a 7-0 run, including an opening Michael Naudi trey.

Depiro had Jean Paul Azzopardi to fall back on in this session, as he dragged his team back. Pembroke still kept their lead but Depiro were always close, with Azzopardi's treys. Adrian Micallef's close-range efforts earned Pembroke a 19-16 lead.

In the second session Depiro overturned the result at the start, as another Azzopardi trey helped in a 25-22 score. Pembroke recovered to grab the lead again, only for Depiro to forge ahead. They did not enjoy their lead for long, as Pembroke had the better ending to the session, and Michael Naudi's brace of free shots gave his side a 34-31 interval lead.

After the break Depiro's persistence paid off and they gained a minimal lead. Pembroke came into their own again and a 9-2 run opened a better advantage. Depiro came close again but Kristinn Baldacchino found his touch, and despite Azzopardi's fourth trey for Depiro, it was Pembroke who increased their lead, so that after three sessions they were 54-46 in front.

The last quarter was error-strewn at first, mainly from the Pembroke players, who committed several turnovers.

When Depiro threatened to get near, Tino Riolo sank a couple of hoops for Pembroke, for a 60-50 score, but when Pembroke went for long possession they were hit by fast Depiro play, which brought them nearer at the end.

Riolo came up again with a timely hoop to give Pembroke the break they needed, going on with another three hoops.

Pembroke kept their second position in the table, on direct encounters with Luxol.

Depiro: 27 Jean Paul Azzopardi,14 Don Ross

Pembroke: 19 Kristinn Baldacchino, 15 Michael Naudi, 13 Adrian Micallef,12 Tino Riolo

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Jean Paul Sammut

Standings: 15 Hamrun L.Go Mobile (7-1) 14 Pembroke (5-4) 14 Luxol Bupa (5-4) 12 Siggiewi Smina (3-6) 11 Depiro Kyocera (2-7)

Bowling – Middlesea Valletta Life national league (week 9)