Depiro 61

Floriana 66

(15-11)(8-17)(13-19)(25-19)

It seems that Floriana have found the winning formula in the last, and most important phase of the league.

All of a sudden all the three teams are in danger of being relegated, and only two points now separate them. Floriana surprised Depiro with some slick play, and Saakian’s prowess and Karl Borg’s experience pulled the Greens through.

Depiro played below their normal standard and paid the price, as they had to chase Floriana in the last two sessions of the match, and were never really comfortable throughout the match.

Marco Arsovski was still only a spectator for Depiro, but David Agius returned, after the birth of his child.

After Floriana’s opening hoop, Depiro’s Emanuel Lupo sank a trey, starting his team off to a 6-2 lead. Floriana replied admirably, and treys by Karl Borg and Gareth Gilson made up an 8-0 run. Depiro reacted, and went in front, holding on to their lead. In the last seconds David Agius made a trey for Depiro, to extend their advantage.

In the second quarter the Greens opened up with a 7-2 run, to forge in front. Isaac Tanti’s entry on court provided Depiro with a couple of hoops, and a 23-20 lead, but Floriana recovered once more, till the end of the session, and Sassoun Saakian’s incursions earned them an 8-0 run, with the help of a trey. At the interval Floriana were 28-23 ahead.

After the break Floriana were still forcing the play. A second Gilson trey, in a 9-1 run, gave the Greens a handsome advantage. Depiro rallied back, with an 8-2 run of their own, led by Roderick Vella, but Floriana were holding out well. Depiro were unable to make more headway, and suffered another 2-8 reverse, with a second Saakian trey. After three sessions the Greens were on a sound 47-36 lead.

In the final quarter Depiro couldn’t subdue Floriana. A third Saakian trey gave the Greens more confidence, as they went on to a strong 54-39 lead.

Depiro found a way to make an 8-0 run, starting with a Vella trey, but Floriana overcame the difficult moment, to enhance their lead again, with Karl Borg’s free shots. Depiro’s frantic play earned them a couple of treys by Andrew Aquilina and a second Vella effort.

They went to within four points, but Karl Borg snuffed out their hopes with his free throws, and Floriana came through with a deserved win, to revive aspirations of an escape act, as last season.

Depiro: 18 R. Vella, D. Debono, M. Sammut, 4 G. Muscat, 5 A. Aquilina, 3 A, Tabone, 6 J. Gatt, 5 E. Lupo, 10 I. Tanti, 10 D. Agius

Floriana: 1 B. Riolo, 8 A. Sultana, K. Azzopardi, 28 S. Saakian. 8 G. Gilson, J. Tanti, 5 M. Pajic, 16 K. Borg

Referees: Gordon Barbara, Emanuel Mangani, Anthony Micallef

Standings

14 Depiro, 12 Mellieha SVS Reflections

(-1), 12 Floriana

Peugeot Women’s League

Depiro 70

Sliema Wanderers 52

(12-10)(26-11)(10-15)(22-16)

Depiro kept up their winning streak, as the three leading teams still fight it out for the top spot. Sliema had to lower their colours for the fourth time this season, against Depiro.

The latter played out the match in bursts, but were careless at times, when they amassed a substantial advantage. Sliema also were guilty of slipshod play, and can be a more consistent side, if they set their minds to the task.

Depiro were without captain, Charlotte Riolo, and the injured Rachel Camilleri, from their last victory, against Hibernians. Lonike Calleja returned for Sliema, after missing a number of matches.

It was Sliema with the better start, as Leanne Sciberras was accurate from the zone fringes. Depiro overcame the quiet beginning, but Sliema twice tied the score, before falling behind in the last seconds of the opening quarter.

At the start of the second session Sliema were still chasing closely, but when Depiro pressed Sliema were hit hard by a trio of treys, two by Sarah Pace, and another by Greta Zarb. Sliema stopped the run, but were immediately hit once more, by another 8-0 run, to fall behind badly.

They recovered a little, but Depiro were in full cry, and they increased their lead to a 38-21 score, at the interval.

After the break Depiro’s play took a downward trend. At first they extended their lead, but Sliema became more direct in their play, and Francesca Farrugia and Leanne Sciberras helped in a 10-2 run, for a 32-44 score. Depiro, who had bench players on court, recovered to share the game till the end of the quarter, when they were leading 48-36.

In the final quarter Depiro were more determined, and a heavy spell resulted in an 11-2 run starting with a Busuttil trey. Such a big lead gave Depiro some overconfidence, and Sliema put in a good 12-2 run, before Depiro recovered, with a second Busuttil Gready trey. Depiro could then ease through to their expected victory.

Depiro: 18 Sarah Pace, 14 Abigail Sciberras, 11 Joselle Cardona, 10 Greta Zarb

Sliema: 15 Leanne Sciberras, 11 Christina Martinelli, 10 Francesca Farrugia

Referees: Jean Paul Sammut, Jennifer Mangani