Sliema couldn’t expect a better result, before the second match in the final. They are now firm favourites to retain the Cup, won these last two seasons. Siggiewi were unlucky to lose two of their key players, both on hamstring injuries, and now face a huge mountain to climb, next Sunday, against a well-disciplined side, who are full of confidence in every match they play.

Sliema had Duncan Cuschieri out injured. They made a strong opening, with two Omar Said treys, in an 11-2 run. Siggiewi recovered, but were hit again with another Said trey. Siggiewi then lost Addison Bonnici, just back from a hamstring injury, to fall prey to it again. Siggiewi still rallied well, and David Camilleri’s trey brought them close, before Michael Naudi’s free shots gave Sliema some more breathing space.

In the second session, Sliema seemed to be going further ahead, at first, but there was a good reaction by Siggiewi, as they responded with a good 11-1 run, ending with a second David Camilleri trey, which gave them a 25-23 lead.

Naudi came to Sliema’s rescue, and his hoops restored the Wanderers’ advantage. Siggiewi then bemoaned their bad luck, also losing Louis Camilleri, on another hamstring injury. At the interval Siggiewi were 26-29 in arrears.

After the break there was a decisive spell. Siggiewi were hit cold, as Sliema coolly made a long 16-2 run, and an Etienne Bezzina trey, with the latter also putting in more personal points. There was also an Adrian Micallef trey.

Siggiewi took time to recover, and it was mostly through free throws. Time passed quickly for them, and after three sessions Sliema could count on a sound 49-34 advantage.

In the final quarter, Sliema opted for control of the match, and doing so for some minutes, with a 53-36 lead to fall back on. They nearly made a mistake, as Siggiewi gritted their teeth, and started creeping back with hard-earned hoops, for a 46-53 score.

They were rudely stopped with another Bezzina trey, and Micallef followed with two more hoops. From then on Sliema were in command again, and Siggiewi had no more contest in them. Sliema ended on a slick 13-2 run, to finish on a sound footing, for the second leg of the final, next Sunday, which threatens to be a formality.

SLIEMA: 17 M. Naudi, J. Zammit, A. Southward, 10 E. Bezzina, 14 O. Said, 9 A. Micallef, 1 K. Baldacchino, 4 S. Cassar, 11 J. Gatt

SIGGIEWI: A. Spiteri, 4 L. Camilleri, 19 D. camilleri, 1 J. Doughty, 8 A. Portelli, 6 JP Azzopardi, P. Shoults, 8 JP Bonnici, A. Bonnici, S. Sammut, 2 A. Huizer, E. Xuereb

REFEREES: Bernard Vassallo, Stephen Micallef