Mellieha concluded their season among the elite with yet another victory, establishing themselves just behind the top runners, and having no relegation worries.

Floriana lost nothing with this defeat, as their last game, against Depiro, will finally solve the relegation issue.

Mellieha fielded a depleted side, as they did against Depiro, but still managed to win handsomely, with a spurt in the final quarter, which brought Floriana to their knees, only after the Greens had kept contact with their more quoted opponents for a good part of the match.

Floriana made a bright opening, putting in three treys in their first attacks, two by Karl Borg and another by Gareth Gilson. Julian Naudi, returning for Mellieha, pushed his side in front, and also netted a trey. Floriana came back with a second Gilson trey, but Naudi’s free shots tied the score, after the opening session.

In the second quarter, a 9-3 Mellieha run gave them the first real lead, with Saakian grabbing Floriana’s points through a trey. Saakian kept Floriana’s hopes high, with his points, and a second trey, but Robert Loporto’s late hoops ensured a lead for Mellieha at the interval, in an open match, at 37-33.

After the break, Saakian was still dominant for Floriana, as they just trailed Mellieha for the whole session.

They did manage to tie the score, at 43-43, midway through, but a Steve Sammut trey put the Northerners back in front.

Towards the end of the session Mellieha once again surged more in front, but a third Saakian trey put the score closer again. After three sessions it was Mellieha leading 57-53.

In the final quarter Mellieha finally pulled away from the Greens, as their treys found the way home. Floriana’s efforts were to no avail, as Steve Sammut put in three more treys, together with Naudi and also Matthew Cauchi.

A mid-session 10-0 run ensured the result for Mellieha, and then the points kept going in at both ends, with a further Sammut trey. Mellieha cantered through, as Floriana now prepare for their important encounter with Depiro.

Floriana: 3 B. Riolo, 2 P. Ferrante, 6 A. Sultana, 37 S. Saakian, 8 G. Gilson, M. Pajic, 12 K. Borg

Mellieha: 25 J. Naudi, 26 S. Sammut, 11 S. Aquilina, 2 E. Xuereb, 6 M. Cauchi, 16 R. Loporto

Referees: Gordon Barbara, Alfred Carbonaro, Clive Terribile