St. James Hospital 53

Valletta Ballers 59

(9-12)(15-20)(11-10)(18-17)

In their first season, playing in a lower division, Valletta Ballers, with their experienced, veteran players, with a mixture of youth, managed to win their first honour, and also did the double over St. James, after having lost their opening encounter, early on in the season. Valletta led for nearly the whole match, and the Saints could never really get to grips, despite their constant pressure. It could be that St. James tried too hard, but the Citizens played a steady game, to go home with an honour.

St. James recovered Clint Grixti from his injury, and Ivan Riolo returned likewise for Valletta.

After Valletta’s opening free shot, St. James’ Steve Pace put in personal points, including a trey, for a 5-1 lead.. Valletta’s reply was swift, and treys by Gauci Grech and Matthew Shoults, in an 8-0 run, saw the Citizens in front. Steve Pace brought the two teams level, but it was Don Ross who put Valletta ahead with his trey.

In the second quarter Valletta held on to their lead, as Ivan Riolo’s trey found its mark. St. James came back to level, at 19-19, with a Clint Cassar hoop. The Citizens’ reaction was immediate, with a 10-2 run, and treys by Riolo, his second, and Don Ross’ second too. St. James cut down their deficit, but Shoults produced a stunning last-second hoop, for a Valletta 32-24 lead at the interval.

After the break the scoring fell away. Valletta made the better start, as Josef paris’ entry on court proved beneficial, with his three hoops, and defensive play. St. James came back, through Clint Cassar free shots, as they drew closer to their opponents. Towards the end of the quarter Nello Xuereb’s points gave Valletta a better lead, at 42-35, with a session to go.

The Citizens stood fast, as they embarked on A 7-0 run, with a third Ross trey. St. James returned, aided by a Cassar trey, but Paris kept Valletta’s flag flying, with another two hoops. Steve Pace’s two treys for the Saints gave them hope, at 47-55, but Valletta kept their adversaries at bay till the end of the match, to run out delighted winners.

After the game Mr. Spiteri, BOV Corporate Manager, presented the K.O. trophy to Don Ross, while Valletta’s fans were still cheering on their side.

St. James: S. Pace, K. tedesco, J. Vella, 12 C. Cassar, K. galea, 8 N. Sultana, S. Vella, 5 M. Farrugia, 21 S. Pace, 6 C. Grixti, J. Ransley, 1 G. Coleiro

Valletta: E. Borg, 9 I. Riolo, A. Mehmedov, D. Sladden, 4 N. Xuereb, M. Pace, G. Cini, 13 M. Shoults, 9 J. Paris, K. Sultana, 8 G. Gauci Grech, 16 D. Ross

Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Gordon Barbara, Anthony Micallef