Mellieha SVS Ref. 59

Depiro 58

(14-14)(19-13)(12-8)(14-23)

Depiro are still not safe, and Floriana are still in with a shout, as regards the relegation issue. In a match which began quietly, but grew in importance as it progressed, the excitement was left till the final moments, as Depiro looked as if they had made it.

They came twice from behind in the final quarter, only to have the satisfaction of victory wiped away, with a last seconds Mellieha surge, and a minimal one point win.

Both sides had themselves to blame for losing this encounter, as too many mistakes were registered at both ends, with Depiro finally being the victims.

Mellieha fielded a depleted side, with Julian Naudi and Michael Pisani missing, along with two of the Aquilina brothers.

The first session saw Depiro take the first hoop, but then it was Mellieha who went in front. Depiro twice tied the score, but a Robert Loporto trey put Mellieha back in the lead. A little later it was Eman Xuereb with another trey, but Andrew Aquilina sank a trey for Depiro, who tied the score just before the end of the quarter.

In the second session Mellieha once again forged in front, and the Sammut brothers made sure of an advantage before half time, with their treys, two by Steve and another by Chris. Emanuel Lupo sank a Depiro trey in-between, but they couldn’t stop Mellieha from going in at the interval on a 33-27 lead.

After the break Depiro seemed to make it back at first, but then their shooting left much to be desired, and Mellieha came on with an 8-0 run, ending with a third Steve Sammut trey, going on to a double figure lead. Isaac Tanti came off the bench for Depiro, and put in two hoops, but Mellieha preserved a good 35-25 advantage after three sessions.

In the final quarter the game suddenly changed. It was Depiro forcing the game, as they went through the Mellieha defence on a strong 13-1 run, and taking the lead, to raise their hopes. Mellieha had a suitable reply, at last, with a second Chris Sammut trey, starting a solid 89-2 run, for a 55-50 score.

Depiro recovered well enough, to forge in front, with an 8-0 run. Mellieha left it late, going into the last minute, as Chris Sammut made the decisive points, a trey and a free throw, to subdue Depiro’s aspirations for a win, which would have all but settled their place in the top division.

Mellieha: M. Cauchi, 1 S. Aquilina, 8 E. Xuereb, J. Muscat, 12 S. Sammut, 18 C. Sammut, 13 J. Jetson, 7 R. Loporto

Depiro: 11 R. Vella, D. Debono, 2 G. Muscat, 5 A. Aquilina, 2 A. Tabone, 13 J. Gatt, 11 E. Lupo, 6 I. Tanti, 8 D. Agius

Referees: Gordon Barbara, Stephen Micallef, Alfred Carbonaro

Standings

19 Mellieha SVS Reflections; 14 Depiro; 12 Floriana (-1)