St. James keep chasing Sliema, but with a game in hand, and they gained their fourth seasonal win over Suns, as expected. Suns still battle valiantly on, despite all the odds against them.

It was a rousing match for Denise Hollier, with a career high score, as she confirmed her positive form this season. It is still tight between three teams, for the top position in the Pool.

The Saints had a solid opening, with a 14-0 run, before Suns grabbed their first hoop, through Abigail Camilleri. St. James kept marching on, and till the end of the quarter they managed another strong 13-2 run, with more points by Hollier and Jean Doughty, the latter finishing with a trey.

In the second quarter Suns came more into the picture.

The Saints still kept on increasing their advantage, and Martha Abela netted her first trey, with Hollier and Sammy Jo Barbara providing the rest of the points. Suns’ points came from different players, as they fell 11-44 behind, at the interval.

After the break both sides started with a trey, Diane Falzon for Suns and Hollier for St. James.

The Saints completed another good 14-2 run, but then Suns were more prominent for the rest of the session, and St. James’ lead was growing slower than before. Hollier sank her second trey, and after three sessions the Saints led 71-24.

In the final quarter it was a more open game. Martha Abela managed to put in three more treys, along with one by Sammy Jo Barbara, for the Saints. Doris Bonello and Ruth Farrugia both made a couple of hoops for the Suns.

St. James’ final run for the century fell short, and the Suns ended with a trio of hoops alongside Barbara’s trey.

Suns: 11 Diane Falzon, 8 Doris Bonello

St. James: 37 Denise Hollier, 17 Jean Doughty, 12 Martha Abela, 11 Sammy Jo Barbara, 10 Annabel Busuttil

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Clive Terribile

* * *

Kerygma 46

Sliema Wanderers 64

(2-14)(10-13)(16-17)(18-20)

Sliema are now alone at the top of the standings, although with a game more than the two teams below them.

A good start to the match ensured their win, as they could only get the better of Kerygma by a few points in the other three sessions. Leanne Sciberras and Chanel Galea remain Sliema’s top scorers, and this without any trey being registered by the Wanderers.

Sliema’s dominant start resulted in a

12-0 opening, as Kerygma were controlled by the slick Sliema youngsters. Towards the end of the quarter Kerygma’s Elaine Cutajar opened the scoring, to prevent a whitewash in the session.

Sliema were still hungry at the start of the second session, and made a further 10-2 run, before Kerygma produced an 8-2 run of their own, ending with a Josette Calleja trey.

Sciberras and Galea still kept Sliema at a distance from their opponents, and at the interval the Blues were on a 27-12 advantage.

After the break Kerygma were still being hit hard, and a 13-2 Sliema run seemed to make the game a one-sided one, as Dana McKeon also put in her share of the scoring.

Kerygma finally found their touch, and a positive 12-2 run anded the session, with Nadia Cassar handy with her shooting for Kerygma. After three sessions Sliema’s lead was at 44-28.

In the final quarter Sliema once again opened strongly, but Kerygma had Lara Cauchi sinking a trey, to offset Sciberras’ personal nine points.

Sliema then extended their lead with free throws, but Kerygma had a reply, with a trio of hoops and a second Calleja trey.

Kerygma: 15 Nadia Cassar, 15 Lara Cauchi, 11 Josette Calleja

Sliema: 29 Leanne Sciberras, 20 Chanel Galea, 10 Dana McKeon

Referees: Stephen Micallef, Jennifer Mangani