Without any hassle, Sliema obtained a stress-free win, after their victory over Siggiewi last weekend. Stopping just short of the first century in the top division this season, Sliema started like a house on fire, but then the large lead induced them to tone down their play, as Floriana gamely tried to offer suitable opposition, but their euphoria, after their overtime win over Qormi, in their last game, took a rude jolt.

The game had historical connotations, with the two teams meeting for the first time in a basketball match, and given the rivalry in the footballing sector.

For Floriana, Brian Grech returned from abroad, and their new signing, Clint Grixti, was on court from the very start. Sliema had young Jonathan Zammit, back after his suspension.

The Blues started off full of fire, and a Michael Naudi trey, followed by a Roderick Mifsud free throw for Floriana, preceded a strong Sliema 22-2 run, as they imposed their forceful play, for a commanding lead. The Greens recovered at the end of the session, and a Don Ross trey helped them to recover some lost ground.

In the second session Sliema once more came roaring out. A 9-0 run was snapped by Don Ross, as Floriana managed a 6-0 run of their own, which was rudely stopped by a Duncan Cuschieri trey.

Halfway through the match the Wanderers were leading 46-20.

After the break, and an early Floriana basket, Sliema took over briefly, and an Etienne Bezzina trey began a 7-0 run. This petered out, and Floriana took advantage of Sliema’s indifferent play, to post a good 10-0 run of their pwn, for a 32-53 score.

Sliema replied at last, with three consecutive hoops, and they followed this up with a session-ending 7-0 run. After three sessions a 66-33 score favoured the Wanderers.

In the final quarter, with their two youngsters on court, Sliema raced into a 9-0 run, stopped by a Brian Grech trey for Floriana. Sliema took over again, stitching another 10-2 run, as Floriana tried to limit the damage. The match ended on another 11-0 Sliema run, as they coasted through to their second league win in three matches.

FLORIANA: R. Spiteri, 2 N. Falzon, 2 J. Paris, 3 B. Grech, B. Portelli, 2 C. Grixti, v. Torbarov, 2 B. Riolo, 4 G. Gilson, 5 R. Mifsud, G. Gauci Grech, 20 D. Ross

SLIEMA: 16 M. Naudi, 9 J. Zammit, 8 C. Calleja, 11 E. Bezzina, 3 T. Riolo, 15 O. Said, 5 A. Micallef, 6 D. Cuschieri, 8 K. Baldacchino, 15 S. Cassar

REFEREES: Emanuel Mangani, Gordon Barbara, Alfred Carbonaro

Qormi Kia 49

Siggiewi Smina 82

(13-26)(15-15)(10-17)(11-24)

Siggiewi were attentive throughout the whole game, as they mastered Qormi for the second time this season. This time their victory was more pronounced, and Qormi were never given any scope to cause any serious mishaps in the match. Siggiewi had Peter Shoults work-tied again, and Michael Barberi has now gone to neighbours SN Suns, in a lower division. They introduced new signing JP Azzopardi, a good addition to their side, and young Lee Grech was also included, and played a part of the match. Qormi now have to make do without coach Tony Camilleri and Michael Amaira is a temporary replacement.

Siggiewi made a no-nonsense start to the match, racing into a 7-0 lead, with an Abraham Portelli trey. After a Qormi reaction, which produced a couple of hoops, it was Siggiewi forcing the game again, piling up more points in a 12-0 run, including treys by David Camilleri and Portelli.

Qormi’s Adrian Baldacchino got in the action, with a five point spread, including a trey. Siggiewi were then marginally better in their shooting till the end of the quarter, establishing a good lead.

Both sides included bench players in the second session. Siggiewi’s points were all replied to by Qormi, who had Adrian Baldacchino to thank for. Midway through the quarter Siggiewi still held their lead, at 33-20.

They put in a spurt, and an unlikely trey by Anthony Huizer helped to increase their advantage. Qormi staged a recovery, but they could only return to their original deficit. At the interval it was 41-28 to Siggiewi.

After the break it was a quieter match. Siggiewi started off by increasing their lead, beginning with an Azzopardi trey. A 9-3 run made the game safer, and time passed with no side able to obtain points. Then it was free shots at both ends, with Siggiewi confidently keeping control. Huizer was having a positive match for Siggiewi, and as the session came to an end Qormi had fallen further behind, on a 38-58 score, with a quarter to go.

The last session was more open, and the points were evenly shared at first, with Siggiewi adding on and Qormi replying. Azzopardi sank another trey for Siggiewi and Wayne Grixti did likewise at the other end. More bench players went on court and Siggiewi ended the game on a high, as they were the fitter side. A 10-0 run settled the issue and at the very end it was Matthew Shoults with a trey, for a comfortable win.

QORMI: 14 W. Grixti, 8 A, Grech, 2 K. Scicluna, A. Camilleri, S. Farrugia, R. Formosa, 7 J. Dalli, R. Baldacchino, C. Bugeja, 6 S. Cauchi, 12 A. Baldacchino

SIGGIEWI: 6 A. Spiteri, 4 L. Camilleri, 6 D. Camilleri, J. Doughty, 15 A. Portelli, 12 JP Azzopardi, L. Grech, 10 JP Bonnici, 8 A. Bonnici, 8 M. Shoults, 12 A. Huizer, 1 E. Xuereb

REFEREES: Bernard Vassallo, Emanuel Mangani, Alfred Carbonaro