Qormi made a quick return to the top division, after just a season among the Second Division hopefuls. They won their second match against St. James, and this time they had an easier passage, as the Saints seemed to feel the absence of their regular coach. Qormi again played a good tactical game, and left nothing to chance, except in the last stages, when their solid advantage saw them through. A curious fact is that the three honours in this category were won by three different teams.
Qormi had Wayne Grixti abroad for this encounter, whilst St. James had Clint Cassar returning from injury. St. James were under the guidance of Norbert Borg, in the absence of Paul Sultana.
Qormi made a dream start, opening strongly against a subdued Saints. A 12-0 run, with treys by Simon Cauchi and Antoine Grech, gave them an initial push, but St. James recovered well, and a useful 7-4 run, with a Joe Vella trey, brought them back into the reckoning, although Qormi still held a good lead.
The game hotted up in the second quarter, as the Saints pulled back with a second Joe Vella trey. Qormi rallied, to put in a 7-1 run, ending with a second Simon Cauchi trey, and a 23-13 lead. St. James’ next points had a reply from Qormi, even against a Michel Farrugia trey. The Saints crept nearer towards the end of the session, and at the interval Qormi were 30-23 in the lead.
After the break Qormi shocked their adversaries with a couple of treys, Antoine Grech’s second and Cauchi’s third. They went on to a 10-2 run, building a substantial lead. St. James tried to react, but with a half fit Nigel Sultana.
Although Qormi were foul hit, they had Joshua Anastasi concluding their fast breaks, and opening up their advantage once more, at 48-31, with a session to go.
St. James already had bowed heads, and Qormi’s Cauchi sank his fourth trey. The Saints replied slowly with free throws, but Qormi had enough of a lead, which they added to, for a full 56-36 lead.
St. James had to chase, as Qormi played long possession. The Saints had a good ending, with a 10-0 run, serving them to achieve a more respectable score, but Qormi’s supporters were celebrating long before the end, as their team returned to the top division.
After the match the MBA general secretary Frank Camilleri presented the Qormi captain, Antoine Grech, with the winners trophy, as they registered only their third win in eight matches against St. James, but two of these brought them the championship and promotion.
Qormi: D. Debattista, 12 A. Grech, L. Zammit, D. Bugeja, C. Vella, 11 R. Formosa, 1 A. Axiaq, 4 C. Bugeja, 15 S. cauchi, 10 J. Anastasi
St. James: 6 S. Pace, K. Galea, 8 J. Vella, 5 C. Cassar, G. Cuschieri, N. Sultana, 4 S. Vella, 9 M. Farrugia, 4 J. Ransley, 10 G. Coleiro
Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Jean Paul Sammut