Luxol were coming from a two match losing streak, but they made amends with a comprehensive win over Floriana. The Greens have still to record a victory over Luxol in a competitive match, being on the losing side in 43 matches. Luxol’s third league win kept Florianan behind them in the standings. This was also the first century in the top division.

Chris Sammut was a spectator on the bench for this match for Luxol. The Violets made a decisive opening, with an 11-0 run, starting off with a Robert Azzopardi trey.

Floriana took time to settle down, as Luxol’s pressure bore fruit. The Greens were nearly shut out, and Roderick Mifsud obtained Floriana’s hoop in the last half minute. By then Luxol had made another 11-0 run, with more treys by Azzopardi and Alan Borg’s last second effort, and Luxol were up and already away.

In the second quarter Don Ross’ trey promised a Floriana resurgence, but Luxol kept up their forceful play, and Dirk Schembri benefited from Alan Borg’s constant assists, in a 13-1 run, for a 39-9 score.

Floriana were still being hit till the interval buzzer. A further 12-1 run was stopped by a Gauci Grech hoop at the end of the second session. Score at a comfortable 51-14 for Luxol.

After the break Luxol’s play began to decline, and Floriana started to pick themselves up. An 8-2 run, with a number of freethrows, gave them confidence but Luxol still kept the upper hand, and new entry Mark Micallef, and Steve Schembri’s trey, increased Luxol’s lead.

After three sessions the score was 72-32 in their favour, after a last second Don Ross trey for Floriana.

In the final quarter Floriana replied to Luxol’s early hoops at first, but then the Greens faded away again, and the Violets ran up a strong 14-0 run.

Marco Mercieca obtained the century in a flurry of personal points, and Dirk Schembri kept up his impressive scoring spree.

FLORIANA: R. Spiteri, 2 N. Falzon, 2 J. Paris, 8 A. Sultana, 2 B. Riolo, V. Torbarov, 4 G. Gilson, 12 R. Mifsud, 4 G. Gauci Grech, 18 D. Ross

LUXOL: 21 M. Mercieca, 13 R. Azzopardi, 8 M. Micallef, 9 A. Borg, M. Portera, C. Pulis, 5 R. Dalli, 28 D. Schembri, 5 E. Caruana Montaldo, 5 J. Jetson, 15 S. Schembri

REFEREES: Gordon Barbara, Emanuel Mangani, Stephen Micallef

Qormi Kia 56

Depiro 45

(12-8)(16-13)(17-12)(11-12)

Qormi tasted sweet success at last, in the top sphere, in their last match of the first round. They bettered Qormi, who were tipped to win this game, given their performance, in their victory over Luxol.

Qormi introduced two youngsters, Justine Micallef and Clyde Vella, as Nello Xuereb and Sam Farrugia were missing. Depiro were with their standard formation.

As usual Depiro started off like lightning, but their fast play resulted in stray passes, as Qormi coolly made an opening 10-2 run. Depiro started to settle down, and strung three hoops in a row, and Antoine Costa was the most enterprising. Qormi recovered with a Keith Scicluna basket, before the end of the quarter.

In the second session Qormi had Wayne Grixti in fine form, netting a trey in a 5-0 personal run. Depiro came back, but found Qormi in a determined mood, holding them at arms’ length for the remainder of the session.

Play was shared as Qormi hung on to a 28-21 interval lead, relying on their zone defence against the fleet-footed Depiro players.

After the break Qormi hit Depiro again, with a 7-0 run, and a Simon Cauchi trey. Depiro tried to get back in the game, but they found Adrian Baldacchino barring their way, making hoop after hoop, in an 8-2 personal run. Clint Cassar sank a trey for Depiro, following up with a further three points, late in the session.

Depiro went on full press in the last quarter, but Qormi matched them hoop for hoop, in the first minutes. They held on despite Depiro’s frantic efforts.

Halfway through the session it was still 51-39 for Qormi, although they were foul hit. Depiro tried to stop the clock, as Qormi put in their short players for possession. Depiro’s final efforts proved fruitless as Qormi, scenting victory, closed ranks, to relish their first win, as Wayne Grixti made his last free throws.

QORMI: 11 W. Grixti, 4 A. Grech, 7 K. Scicluna, J. Micallef, A. Camilleri, C. Vella, 2 R. Formosa, 4 J. Dalli, R. Baldacchino, 1 C. Bugeja, 7 S. Cauchi, 20 A. Baldacchino

DEPIRO: 13 R. Vella, 6 C. Cassar, 2 M. Sammut, 2 G. Muscat, 2 A. Aquilina, 3 A. Tabone, 2 M. Mallia, B. Zammit, 10 E. Lupo, 5 A. Costa, I. Tanti, D. Agius

REFEREES: Bernard Vassallo, Gordon Barbara, Emanuel Mangani