MBA Shield (Men Div.2)

Loyola Xuereb Installions 43

SN Suns Bell Med 41

(11-5)(9-14)(9-11)(15-11)

The start of the Division 2 Shield went right down to the wire, as both teams never let each other out of their sights, and in the last two sessions it was a case of the lead changing hands several times over. Loyola had Joe Vella, ex-Mellieha, as their new player, and Suns included an ex-Siggiewi player, Hubert Agius, now that his father, Lorry, is coaching the side,

It was a low-score game, as Suns stayed in contention, although in arrears. In the second quarter Loyola still held the upper hand, enjoying the game’s largest lead, at 15-8, but Suns’ treys, again by Camilleri and Hubert Agius, brought them nearer, and by the end of the session Suns had managed to draw level, on a low 19-19 score.

After the break Loyola took a brief lead, but Agius then took the game in hand for Suns, and a 7-0 personal break, including a trey, pushed his side in front, and they kept their lead till the end of the session, despite Loyola;s efforts, for a 30-28 score.

In the final quarter both sides were replying to each other’s points, as Loyola twice tied the score, and then went in front, with a Grech trey. Bantick was getting the points for Suns, and they tied, at 39-39, only to suffer another trey, by Patrick Lentini. This time Suns didn’t make it back, and Loyola took the spoils, just a hoop ahead.

Loyola: 7 Joe Vella, 7 Roberto Depasquale

Suns: 14 Hubert Agius, 10 Angelo Bantick

Referees: Gordon Barbara, Stephen Micallef

* * *

Mosta 54

Mellieha SVS 69

(18-15)(12-14)(11-21)(13-19)

In the second match Mellieha opened up their commitment on a high note, leaving Mosta with the taste of defeat. It was a close game at first, but late in the third session Mellieha edged further ahead, and then consolidated their advantage in the last quarter, to emerge comfortable winners.

Mosta had Martin Aquilina playing against his former team and Sascha Saakian back to the fold, whilst Mellieha had a changed side from last season. They had Saviour Magro back, after a season’s inactivity. Michael Pisani also returned to play and Ian Terribile was signed after Hamrun’s disbandment. Another new player was ex-Floriana’s, Mark Camilleri.

Mellieha had a good start, only to be outshone in the next few minutes, as Sammut sank his treys for Mosta. Mellieha recovered but they were still in arrears at the end of the first session.The next session was a little quieter, as Mosta increased their lead at first, but it was Mellieha who had the better ending, till the halftime buzzer, and an 8-0 run, pushed them ahead, only for Sammut to put in another trey at the end, for a 30-29 interval lead for Mosta.

After the break Mellieha suffered another Sammut trey, but then they pressed their opponents, and an 8-0 run gave them the lead. Mosta drew level, but Cauchi blasted them back with an 8-0 personal score, including two treys, to open up a good lead, enhanced to a 50-41 score at the end of the session.

In the final quarter Mosta couldn’t recover, and Mellieha pushed home with their treys as Mosta struggled to keep up with fleeter opponents.

Mosta: 18 Oliver Sammut, 15 Ray Muscat, 11 Sascha Saakian

Mellieha: 11 Roberto Loporto, 10 Ian Terribile, 10 Ben Aquilina

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Jean Paul Sammut

* * *

Enemalta Shield (Women – Group A)

Sliema Wanderers 22

Luxol 59

(8-13)(2-26)(7-10)(5-10)

Luxol didn’t have any hassle against the new team, ex-Pembroke, although inactive for some years. Luxol took time to settle down and impose their superiority. A Francesca Savona trey opened the proceedings for the Violets, but Sliema were there or thereabouts in the first session. though they were finding Mandy Sciortino a handful.

In the second session Luxol ran riot, and except for a Francesca Farrugia hoop for the Wanderers, it was all Luxol, as they sank a couple of treys, and the returning Justine Mangion, from abroad, also left her mark. At the halfway stage it was a big 39-10 advantage for the Violets.

After the break the play toned down a little, as Luxol didn’t have it all their own way, but Sliema’s replies were mainly through free shots, whilst Lara Chetcuti and Kirsten Micallef helped Luxol to increase their lead slightly at 49-17 after three sessions.

In the final quarter the Violets had a good start, with a 10-0 run, as Chetcuti used her height well, but then they were careless till the end of the session, allowing Sliema to have their brief moments of satisfaction, and finish on a good note, though well behind their opponents.

Sliema: 7 Francesca Farrugia

Luxol: 17 Amanda Sciortino, 12 Francesca Psaila Savona, 9 Kirsten Micallef

Referees: Alfred Carbonaro, Jennifer Mangani

* * *

Hibs Medsea 83

Kerygma 30

(24-0)(13-15)(18-12)(28-3)

The Champions had an easy start to the season, in this four team group, as they rode roughshod over a Kerygma side, who had a hesitant start, and paid the price, allowing Hibs to run up a strong score in the first session, with Beverlee Zammit to the fore, with her treys.

Kerygma recovered in the second quarter, as the Paolites in their bench players. Kerygma more than held their own, as Claire Spiteri and Renette Debono found their mark. With Zammit and Parnis on the bench, Hibs were not so accurate in attack, and Kerygma finished the second session 15-37 behind.

After the break Hibs put their seasoned players back on again, and they started to take the game in hand, as the Paolites finished the quarter on a 9-3 run, to lead 55-27, after three sessions.

After a Josette Calleja trey at the start of the last quarter,Kerygma dried up completely. Lucienne Bezzina sank two treys in a 28-0 run, which kept her side on till the end of the match, as Kerygma were overwhelmed once more.

Hibernians: 14 Beverlee Zammit, 13 Lucienne Bezzina, 13 Doreen Parnis, 12 Francesca Bianco

Kerygma: 14 Claire Spiteri

Referees: L. Falzon, G. Barbara

* * *

Enemalta Shield(Women – Group B)

Loyola Xuereb Installations 49

Depiro 46

(7-11)(14-22)(18-1)(10-12)

It was a close-fought match in the last two sessions, with the result hanging on till the last moments of the game. Loyola are now strengthened with the inclusion of internationals, Dorianne Galea and Sandra Schembri Wismayer, and also have Sammy Jo Barbara and Denise Hollier in their ranks. Depiro, after losing Galea, and also missing Roseanne Falzon, had Rachel Camilleri returning from Luxol, and signed Claire Hawkins.

Loyola stayed close to Depiro in the opening session, although always down by just a few points, with Galea well marked by Greta Zarb. In the second quarter Depiro started to pull away, and Zarb’s treys and Camilleri’s fast play gave them a double-figure lead. Loyola tried to keep up, but at the halfway stage it was a good 33-21 advantage for Depiro.

After the break the game turned right round. Loyola went into zone defence and Depiro failed to penetrate, and were not so accurate from the distance. Loyola, ably led by Schembri Wismayer, not only crept up to their opponents, but by the end of the third session they had built up a 39-34 lead.

In the final quarter, Depiro’s efforts to bridge the gap did not bear fruit. Riolo burst through for Depiro with a brace of treys, and suddenly it was a one-point game. With Depiro frantically trying to overtake their opponents, it was young Denelza Bayliss who wrapped up the game for Loyola, cooly sinking a couple of free shots, in the final ten seconds, Depiro’s last try landed on the rim, and Loyola were ecstatic at beating fancied opponents, laying their claim for a serious shot at the prizes.

Loyola: 25 Sandra Schembri Wismayer, 8 Denelza Bayliss

Depiro: 12 Greta Zarb, 11 Rachel Camilleri, 8 Joselle Cardona

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Alfred Carbonaro