Sliema meant business from the start, in their first win of the new year. Qormi actually had a good opening to the match, but then they were overwhelmed, as Michael Naudi ran riot, and Silvio Cassar put in his share of the points, in the first part of the game. Sliema could then play out the rest of the match to their hearts' content.

Ray Muscat was still at Sliema's helm, as Joe Galea is still suspended. Sliema had Kristin Baldacchino still abroad, and Adrian Micallef was a mere spectator. Jeffrey Gatt returned, after a three game absence. Qormi sported new coach Alfred Mifsud after Tony Camilleri's stepping down, and included Anton Axiaq, who is here on his holidays, from his Sicilian sojourn, this season. Missing for them were Wayne Grixti, Nello Xuereb and Sam Farrugia.

In this game there was also a refereeing debut in the top division this season, for Clive Terribile, who is also on his holidays from his work abroad.

Qormi's Keith Scicluna had a good start to the game, making all the points in a 7-4 lead. Qormi were still ahead after an Adrian Baldacchino trey, but Sliema rallied with a 7-0 run, only to be hit again with a Roberto Formosa trey. An eventful first session ended with a strong 14-1 run for the champions, as Silvio Cassar excelled under the board, and the Wanderers went into a double figure lead.

Both sides had their moments at the start of the second quarter, but Sliema took control once again, and a 15 point run was only spoilt with another Formosa trey, as Michael Naudi made nearly all of Sliema's hoops. Qormi recovered towards the end of the session, grabbing some points to offset Cassar's late hoops. At the interval Sliema enjoyed a strong 51-26 lead.

Naudi stayed on the bench after the break, and Zammit came on court. A 9-3 run, with treys at both ends, extended Sliema's advantage, but then their pressure began to abate, and Qormi could operate some fast breaks. They also had a good ending, with the session's last points, as Sliema led 66-39 with a session to go.

This was played in an open manner, as both sides concentrated on acquiring points to enhance their score. Qormi's 9-4 run was halted by a Naudi trey, and Jason Dalli replied likewise at the other end. Both sides seemed happy at the end of the game, with Sliema now on three wins in four matches.

SLIEMA: 33 M. Naudi, 4 J. Zammit, 4 E. Bezzina, T. Riolo, 15 O. Said, 5 D. Cuschieri, 18 S. Cassar, 5 J. Gatt

QORMI: 7 A. Grech, 14 K. Scicluna, 5 A. Axiaq, 1 A. Camilleri, 8 R. Formosa, 7 J. Dalli, 6 R. Baldacchino, C. Bugeja, 2 S. Cauchi, 4 A. Baldacchino

REFEREES: Emanuel Mangani, Stephen Micallef, Clive Terribile

Siggiewi Smina 78

Bupa Luxol 74

(24-11)(19-19)(12-23)(23-21)

Siggiewi held on to their unbeaten league record, with their fourth win, as they resisted Luxol's late challenge. They were leading comfortably at one time, but they had to pull out all the stops, to finish ahead of their opponents at the end.

Albert Spiteri's injury was sorely felt by the Siggiewi side, as they lost their confidence

in the second part of the match, allowing Luxol to make up the leeway, and threaten to take the match.

Siggiewi included Milan Pajic instead of the injured Anthony Huizer, and Reuben Dalli was in Luxol's list of players, for the first time this season.

Siggiewi went out like a house on fire, running up a 9-2 lead, with treys by David Camilleri and Abraham Portelli. Luxol had Jide Jetson making the first points.

Siggiewi followed up with an 8-0 run, going clear of their opponents, but it was Alan Borg who was keeping Luxol's hopes alive, with his points. A JP Azzopardi trey for Siggiewi closed down the scoring for the first session, with Siggiewi comfortably in the lead.

In the second quarter play was more balanced, but Siggiewi were still keeping Luxol at bay. It was still Alan Borg and Jide Jetson for the Violets, but Peter Shoults was on hand for Siggiewi, and his two treys denied Luxol any chance to get nearer,

although the latter had Steve Schembri settling down well.

At the interval both sides had cancelled each other out, with Siggiewi holding on to their lead, on a 43-30 score. Right at the end of the session Albert Spiteri was injured in a tussle with Marco Mercieca, and didn't take part for the rest of the game.

After the break, Luxol started getting all the rebounds, and Dirk Schembri caused the damage under the boards. Siggiewi couldn't muster a decent reaction, and a 14-0 run, ending with a Steve Schembri trey, gave Luxol the first lead in the match, at 48-46.

Siggiewi recovered at last: a 7-0 run established their lead again, but Robert Azzopardi brought Luxol near once more. His trey made it just 55-53 for Siggiewi, after three sessions.

Another Azzopardi trey gave the Violets the lead in the final session, but Siggiewi

replied well with a 7-0 run. Siggiewi hung on as time started running down, and Luxol found their way to the zone blocked. Free shots extended Siggiewi's lead, but they lost three players on fouls. Chris Sammut put in two treys for Luxol as they strove to save the game. At the end they went to just a hoop down, but Portelli was

left unattended and he sank the deciding basket, keeping Siggiewi alone at the top

of the standings.

SIGGIEWI: 3 A. Spiteri, 15 L. Camilleri, 8 D. Camilleri, J. Doughty, 5 A. Portelli, 9 JP Azzopardi, 11 P. Shoults, 6 JP Bonnici, 21 A. Bonnici, M. Shoults, M. Pajic, E. Xuereb

LUXOL: 17 C. Sammut, 1 M. Mercieca, 8 R. Azzopardi, M.Micallef, 11 A. Borg, R. Dalli, 11 D. Schembri, E Caruana Montaldo, 11 J. Jetson, 15 S. Schembri

REFEREES: Gordon Barbara, Stephen Micallef, Jean Paul Sammut