Dakar Sliema 79

Depiro 58

(14-18)(20-10)(20-12)(25-18)

Sliema went back to the top of the standings, after being given a hectic time by the lively Depiro outfit.

At the end Sliema tamed their opponents, for a double. Depiro's good opening didn't serve them enough, and their change of players on court helped the Wanderers to recover lost ground, and then stretch their advantage, enough to make certain of the result well before the end of the match, notwithstanding the state of their team.

Coach Joe Galea returned to the Sliema bench, after his long, two month suspension. Matthew Zammit also returned for the first time this season. Omar Said is suspended, Tino Riolo is abroad and Etienne Bezzina was only a spectator.

Two youngsters were included, Terence Vella and Andrew Southward.

Silvio cassar's points for Sliema gave them an early lead, but Depiro, fast in their play, troubled Sliema, in their depleted state.

A 9-0 run gave them a 13-6 lead. Sliema's reaction came through Cassar, but Depiro held on to their lead, despite two late bursts, as Sliema came near again, forgetting their leisurely start.

In the second quarter, Sliema didn't take long to overhaul Depiro, but the latter came back to draw level twice.

Sliema persisted, and Adrian Micallef put them in front once more. Antoine Costa sank a trey for Depiro. A 7-0 Sliema run gave them enough of a lead, to carry them through to the end of the session. Depiro made free shots, to draw nearer, and at the interval Sliema led 34-28.

After the break Sliema's Jonathan Zammit sank a trey, as a 9-4 run pushed the Wanderers further in front.

Depiro rallied, with Roderick Vella's points, including a trey, but Sliema had the better ending to the session, and another trey, this time by Duncan Cuschieri, helped his side to a 7-2 run. A 54-40 lead favoured Sliema after three sessions.

In the final quarter, Depiro's free shots made them hope again, but Sliema kept them at arms' length for most of the session, on a double figure lead. With Depiro intent on attack they were hit by a Sliema 7-0 run, which closed down the match, minutes before the end. Both teams then played an open game, as Sliema's youngsters went on court.

SLIEMA: 6 M. Naudi, 7 J. Zammit, 10 M. Zammit, 4 J. Galea, T. Vella, 21 A. Micallef, 5 D. Cuschieri, A. Southward, 26 . Cassar, J. Gatt

DEPIRO: 19 R. Vella, 7 C. Cassar, M. Sammut, 1 G. Muscat, 2 A. Aquilina, 5 A. Tabone, 4 M. Mallia, B. Zammit, 5 E. Lupo, 9 A. Costa, I. Tanti, 6 D. Agius

REFEREES: Emanuel Mangani, Stephen Micallef, Jean Paul Sammut

Standings: 11 Dakar Sliema (5-1), 11 Siggiewi Smina (5-1), 10 Bupa Luxol (4-2), 8 Depiro (2-4), 7 Floriana (1-5), 7 Qormi Kia (1-5)