Qormi stayed in touch, at the top end of the standings, leaving Mosta still looking for their first league win. It was touch and go till the very end, with Mosta very close to a victory. Oliver Sammut’s exploits for Mosta came a cropper, as Qormi had Roberto Formosa and Keith Scicluna to make up the bulk of their side’s points, and register their team’s third win over Mosta this season.
Qormi had Simon Cauchi missing, but Recovered Antoine Grech, who missed their last encounter. Mosta had to do without Joe Micallef and Kevin Bonnici.
The match had a furious start, as Qormi replied strongly to Oliver Sammut’s opening hoop for Mosta. A 13-1 run, with a Roberto Formosa trey, put Qormi on a 13-3 lead. Mosta had more than an adequate reply, as their treys found their mark. Sammut, Mark Spiteri and Adrian Pace all contributed, as Mosta went to just a point down, but Qormi ended the session with a couple of hoops.
In the second quarter Steve Gouder was on fire, and could push Mosta forward. an opening 8-0 run, with a series of free throws, besides Mark Ciantar points, gave Mosta a 24-21 lead. Qormi rallied with a brace of hoops, but then it was the turn of Sammut, as three treys in a row, in a personal 11-0 run, gave Mosta a double figure lead. This was whittled down by Qormi, but at the interval Mosta were still 37-31 in the lead.
After the break Qormi swarmed over Mosta, and registered an opening 15-1 run, ending with a Keith Scicluna trey. The tide turned, and Mosta came back with an 8-0 run, to level at 46-46. Qormi went back in front till the end of the quarter, holding a tight 50-48 advantage, with a session to go.
Qormi increased their lead, as Wayne Grixti made a trey and a hoop. There was a Mosta reply, as Sammut’s fifth trey and Ciantar’s points made it a slight 55-54 score for Qormi, who had Formosa sinking his second trey, to open up their advantage. Sammut’s consecutive hoops pushed Mosta in front, but Qormi rallied to force their way ahead, and this time they held their lead till the very end, to compile their fifth league win.
Qormi: 19 Keith Scicluna, 18 Roberto Formosa
Mosta: 28 Oliver Sammut, 13 Mark Ciantar, 10 Mark Spiteri
Referees: Jean Paul Sammut, Stephen Micallef
Standings
13 Bell Med SN Suns (6-1)
12 Qormi Kia (5-2)
11 St. James Hospital (4-3)
10 Valletta Ballers (3-4)
8 Mosta (0-8)