Sliema showed their deep experience of the game, as they subdued Siggiewi in a sometimes one-sided encounter. The final score does not give the true picture of the proceedings.

It was only in the last session that Sliema relaxed their hold, enabling Siggiewi to make the score a more interesting one. Sliema are already sure of a place in the final, but Siggiewi have yet to book their place.

On the game's showing they have to buck up their ideas, as Sliema's defensive system flustered Siggiewi, whose high balls and cross passes became easy prey to their opponents, helping them to pull away, making it an easier match.

There was the return of Tino Riolo, back from abroad, for Sliema.

It was a fast game from the start, as Siggiewi took the first lead, at 5-2. Sliema replied with an Omar Said trey, but Siggiewi made theirs through Addison Bonnici and David Camilleri, when they led 11-10. An 8-0 run enhanced Siggiewi's lead, but Sliema had the better ending to the session, and reduced their arrears to a four point margin.

In the second quarter Sliema overhauled their opponents, with a 9-0 run, including a second Said trey.

Addison Bonnici stopped the run with his points, but Sliema still held on to their lead. Lost free shots did not help Siggiewi's cause, and Sliema held on. Late in the quarter, a succession of fouls in favour enabled Siggiewi to claw their way back and, at the interval, Sliema's advantage was a single hoop difference, at 31-29.

After the break Siggiewi's hasty play, and insistence in piercing the zone played into Sliema's hands. The latter's cool finishing, after they started with a Duncan Cuschieri trey, helped them to a sound 20-2 run, which took them to the latter stages of the quarter.

Siggiewi had the stuffing knocked out of them, and Peter Shoults' trey was scant consolation, as Sliema ended the session on a strong 58-36 lead.

In the final quarter, Siggiewi had to produce a better display, to hold their heads higher. They made a better scoring rate, but Sliema's points were still coming in.

Both sides lost players on fouls, as Camilleri sank a couple of treys for Siggiewi. Sliema's advantage was prohibitive, and they put their subs on court, already assured of a good day's showing.

Siggiewi sank their hoops at the end for a better adverse result, as they succumbed for the fifth time in eight encounters against Sliema.

SLIEMA: 14 M. Naudi, 1 J. Zammit, C. Calleja, 4 E. Bezzina, J. Galea, 1 T. Riolo, 31 O. Said, A. Micallef, 9 D. Cuschieri, 6 K. Baldacchino, 6 S. Cassar, 7 J. Gatt

SIGGIEWI: 2 A. Spiteri, 3 S. Sammut, 21 D. Camilleri, J. Doughty, 7 A. Portelli, JP Azzopardi, 7 P. Shoults, 4 JP Bonnici, 23 A. Bonnici, A. Huizer, E. Xuereb

REFEREES: Bernard Vassallo, Gordon Barbara, Stephen Micallef

Standings: 23 Dakar Sliema, 20 Siggiewi Smina, 16 Bupa Luxol

Gatorade Relegation Pool - 1 Div. Men

Depiro 72

Qormi Kia 55

(25-5)(13-7)(13-19)(21-24)

Depiro jumped to the top of the table, and evened out the wins in the first part of this phase. They now need just one more win, to be safe from relegation worries.

Qormi are still above Floriana, but only a point separates them. Qormi's disastrous start settled the match, as Depiro could control the rest of the game, and forget the shock defeat against Floriana.

Depiro swept Qormi off their feet straight from the start, with Emanuel Lupo's personal points, and a helping hand from the other players.

Depiro raced into a strong 15-0 advantage, before Qormi could reply briefly. Depiro took up the reins once again, and a Roderick Vella trey began an 8-0 run, which was only stopped in the very last seconds, with a Wayne Grixti hoop.

In the second quarter, Qormi were still being hit hard. An opening Qormi hoop only served to galvanise Depiro further, and a second Vella trey, and more free shots, made up a 7-0 run. Qormi replied at odd intervals, but Depiro were solidly in command. At the half time buzzer they were 38-12 in front.

After the break it looked like a repetition of the session before. An early Qormi hoop was followed by Emanuel Lupo points, including a trey. Qormi finally rallied, and an 11-0 run, with a Keith Scicluna trey, brought a 25-44 score.

Depiro found their form again, stopping Qormi, although Antoine Grech sank a trey. The play balanced out, and Depiro could rest on a 51-31 lead.

The last quarter was an open one, given the score. Depiro began by increasing their lead, but points by Reuben Baldacchino, nad later on by Wayne Grixti, including a trey, made the score a more respectable one.

With the accent on offence, both teams could add on to their score, but Depiro had no worries, as they notched their second win over Qormi, in three matches.

DEPIRO: 22 R. Vella, 2 B. Zammit, 1 M. Sammut, 4 G. Muscat, 2 A. Aquilina, 2 A. Tabone, 2 M. Mallia, 4 C. Cassar, 24 E. Lupo, 4 A. Costa, I. Tanti, 5 D. Agius.

QORMI: 12 W. Grixti, 4 A. Grech, 11 K. Scicluna, J. Anastasi, 5 A. Camilleri, J. Sant, 7 R. Formosa, J. Dalli, 8 R. Baldacchino, C. Bugeja, 2 S. Cauchi, 6 A. Baldacchino

REFEREES: Emanuel Mangani, Jean Paul Sammut, Alfred Carbonaro.