Sliema Wanderers 54
Kerygma 49
(7-13)(20-6)(18-13)(9-17)
Kerygma botched up their opportunity to obtain their best ever placing, before the next phase of play, going down dismally to a sprightly Sliema outfit, who are confirming their progress since the start of the season. This was Sliema's first voctory over Kerygma in three matches, and their best win yet, this season. Kerygma didn't work hard enough, contrary to Sliema's commitment, and their late rally was to no avail.
Sliema had the better opening, going into a 6-2 lead, but Josette Calleja's trey helped Kerygma go in front. A Sliema reply overturned the score, but it was Kerygma who managed to sink three hoops in a row, and enjoy an advantage in the first quarter.
The play turned around in the second session. Kerygma were complacent, and were hit by a good 10-0 Sliema run, as Francesca Farrugia and Leanne Sciberras combined well. Calleja's free throws stopped the run, but Sliema were still in command, and at the interval they were ahead on a low 27-19 score, as regards Kerygma.
After the break Kerygma were expected to pull up their socks, and get back in the game, but Sliema could match their opponents in the first part of the session. Although Moira Caruana sank a trey for Kerygma, her side couldn't get any nearer, as Sliema were handling the situation better, with Farrugia exploiting the spaces underneath the board. After three sessions Sliema were in a comfortable 45-32 advantage.
In the final quarter Kerygma were still disjointed, and Sliema could control with ease. The difference in points kept constant, with Kerygma only able to reply to Sliema's hoops, as Chanel Galea was accurate.Kerygma finally made a determined effort, but the treys by Calleja nd Annabel Busuttil, in a game ending 9-1 run, left Kerygma a few points short of stealing the match, and the Sliema youngsters could celebrate their third league win. The two sides will meet again in the Classification Pool, in the next phase.
SLIEMA: 15 Chanel Galea, 14 Francesca Farrugia, 13 Leanne Sciberras, 10 Ariana Grixti
KERYGMA: 23 Josette Calleja
REFEREES: Bernard Vassallo, Jennifer Mangani