St. James Hosp. 45

Kerygma 36

(16-8)(12-10)(8-8)(9-10)

St. James got the better of Kerygma, for the second time in three games, as they rode out a spirited comeback, which just stopped short of a successful outcome. St. James twice built up a substantial lead, but Kerygma came back to make it a closer game, only to falter at the end, and concede defeat.

St. James had to do without the services of Adalia Bonanno.

It was Kerygma with the first hoop, but St. James, led by in-form Denise Hollier, went 6-2 in front. They were jolted by a Josette Calleja trey, but the Saints were in command, and they ran up a 10-1 break, with a Sammy Jo Barbara trey, for a double figure lead. Elaine Cutajar grabbed a late hoop for Kerygma, to end the quarter.

In the second session, St. James confirmed their dominance at the start, and managed an opening 9-0 run, with a Hollier trey, for a strong 25-8 advantage. Kerygma slowly began to show their form, and a 7-1 run gave them some confidence.

Annabel Busuttil was replying for St. James, but seconds from the end it was Josette Calleja with a long trey, to pull Kerygma nearer. At the interval St. James were still 28-18 ahead.

After the break Kerygma continued to gnaw away at their deficit, with Elaine Cutajar’s points, but then it was Annabel Busuttil who came to the Saints’ rescue, with consecutive points, in an 8-0 run, and St. James obtained a creditable 36-21 lead.

Kerygma overcame their weak moments, to start the long way back, to their original deficit, in a low-score session. St. James still held a 36-26 advantage, after three sessions.

In the final quarter, Busuttil’s hoop seemed to herald the Saints’ recovery, but Kerygma came back in earnest, and an 8-0 run, with Josette Calleja’s points, including a third trey, made the match a much closer one, at 38-34. Calleja was then lost on fouls, and St. James relied on free throws, as they built a lead to see them through the rest of the game.

St. James Hospital: 12 Denise Hollier, 11 Annabel Busuttil

Kerygma: 16 Josette Calleja, 9 Elaine Cutajar

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Stephen Micallef

Standings

18 Luxol (8-2); 18 Depiro (8-2); 17 Hibs Medsea (8-1); 13 St. James Hospital (4-5); 13 Kerygma (3-7); 11 Sliema Wanderers (2-7); 9 SN Suns JC (0-9).

Men Division II

The top of the table has become more congested again, as the leaders, Suns, suffered their second league defeat, and the Saints have now come to within a game away, and well in contention for a place in the final three.

St. James enjoyed good leads throughout the game, but Suns found ways and means to get back, and even went in front. At the end there was nothing to choose, but the Saints did just enough at the end to run out winners, and avenge their first round loss to the Suns.

St. James were without Steve Pace and Jonathan Ransley, whilst Suns had only seven players on their team list.

Suns made the better start, as Clayton Agius netted two early treys, in a 9-4 run. Then it was St. James who produced the effective play, and a long 13-1 run, ending with a Clint Grixti trey, helped them to a first session lead, although Suns came back at the end, with Trevor Grech points, including a trey.

In the second quarter the points were not so prolific. Michel Farrugia sank a trey for the Saints, but Suns replied quickly, to go to within a point, at 21-22. St. James recovered completely, as a series of free throws helped them to an 8-0 run, before Clayton Calleja sank his third trey for Suns, to creep a little nearer. At the interval St. James were 31-24 in front.

After the break Suns quickly came within reach, as Clayton Agius sank another trey. St. James had a reply, to open up a further lead, at 38-32. Suns picked themselves up, and made up an 8-0 run, to take the lead, after being so long in arrears. The Suns turned the score round till the end of the quarter, at 43-42, with a session to go.

The last quarter was full of mistakes, as the two sides were too tense to offer up some co-ordinated play. Suns opened with a hoop, but St. James went in front once more, only to suffer a fifth Agius trey, and a tie, at 47-47. St. James pushed forward, but their lead was halved again, with a further Agius trey. Suns conceded free shots, which helped the Saints to hold their lead, despite a Michel Curmi trey for the Suns. At the end St. James held possession, to make sure of victory.

St. James: 13 Clint Cassar, 11 Graham Coleiro

Suns: 24 Clayton Agius, 10 Hubert Agius

Referees: Alfred Carbonaro, Anthony Micallef