Siggiewi Smina 61

Mellieha SVS 46

(19-8)(15-12)(12-13)(15-13)

Siggiewi began their defence of the Shield with a workmanlike performance against the newly promoted side, Mellieha. The latter gave a good account of themselves, and they seem to be quite capable of battling it out this season, for honourable placings in the various honours to be contested.

Siggiewi were without Albert Spiteri, who is still not match fit, and included new signings, Billy Zammit and Igor Stefanovic, as the new domiciled foreigner. Mellieha had Matthew Cauchi and Samuel Aquilina both injured, but had new signings Chris Sammut, Jide Jetson, who played a blinder, Trevor Degiorgio and Eman Xuereb,

Mellieha were sorely tried at first, as Siggiewi, starting with a Peter Shoults trey, went on with a good 11-0 run, after Julian Naudi netted Mellieha’s first hoop amongst the elite. David Camilleri’s and Shoults’ second trey opened up Siggiewi’s lead, as Mellieha’s efforts failed to stop the holders from their first victory this season.

Siggiewi: 2 B. Zammit, 5 L. Camilleri, 13 D. Camilleri, J. Doughty, 9 A. Portelli, Lu. Camilleri, 15 P. Shoults, 4 JP Bonnici, 7 A. Bonnici, JP Antoncic, 2 I. Stefanovic

Mellieha: S. Magro, 12 J. Naudi, S. Grima, E. Xuereb, 11 C. Sammut, J. Muscat, B. Aquilina, 2 J. Aquilina, 2 M. Pisani, 4 T. degiorgio, 12 J. Jetson, 3 R. Loporto

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Stephen Camilleri