WILLIE VASSALLO
It was a hell of a match, this first final, with a storming finish, which left the outcome wide open, and everything to play for, next Sunday, in the second match.
Depiro must be kicking themselves, for not making the issue safe, when they had control of the game, and Luxol must be elated at the way they came back from a seemingly hopeless situation.
Depiro had the emans to make the second game a meaningless one, as Rachel Camilleri had a dream match, but Ruth Spiteri's exhortations to the Luxol clan finally sank in, and the Violets made a remarkable recovery, and very nearly won the match too.
Rachel Camilleri returned for Depiro with a bang, after missing their last encounter, through injury.
The game started at a fast pace, with Depiro making their hoops, and Luxol putting in their reply, with the difference that Psaila Savona sank a couple of treys for the Violets, helpinh them to a lead. Depiro then had the better of their adversaries as the game progressed, and with Rachel Camilleri in scintillating form, an 11-0 run, with a Camilleri trey, gave Depiro a useful lead, which they kept till the end of the session.
In the second quarter Luxol pulled back two hoops, but there was no let up from Rachel Camilleri, and Luxol were on the receiving end again. A similar 11-0 run, with a second Camilleri trey, put Depiro on a strong 36-21 lead. The Violets recovered, but they could only share the play, and Depiro were comfortably on a 39-26 advantage, at the interval.
After the break Luxol made their expected spurt, and a third Psaila Savona trey, in an opening 7-2 run, made a change in the score. Depiro rallied, and they enhanced their lead once more.
Luxol tried to recoup their deficit, but their defence left much to be desired, and with key players with foul trouble. Depiro began to push up their advantage again, and after three sessions Luxol had fallen 38-52 behind.
In the final quarter Luxol came out with the bit between their teeth. Depiro's Greta Zarb did sink a trey, but the Violets went on the rampage, and an impressive 17-3 run had Depiro wilting under the pressure, despite the fact that Luxol lost Emma Moore and Beverlee Zammit on fouls.
This great-hearted comeback tied the score, very late in the match. Rachel Camilleri, who had suffered an earlier injury, came back on the court to grab Depiro's winning basket, but the second game is now wide open.
Depiro: R. Debono, C. Riolo, 5 S. Pace, 7 J. Cardona, K. Busuttil, 35 R. Camilleri, J. Busuttil Gready, A. Sciberras, E. Vella, 3 R. Spiteri
Luxol: 13 E. Moore, 15 M. Sciortino, N. Said, 11 F. Psaila Savona, R. Naudi, 3 R. Spiteri, J. Mangion, 2 D. Spiteri, D. Muscat, 2 L. Chetcuti, J. Attard, 7 B. Zammit
Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Jennifer Mangani