Siggiewi recovered from their opening defeat by Compleet, and went back into the running for a semi final place. Depiro were playing their first seasonal match, and had the misfortune to lose Roderick Vella early in the match, due to a head injury. This affected their play, although they kept pace with their opponents till midway through the last quarter.

Depiro, who had lost Antoine Costa and Alex Tabone, had new signing, Sassoun Saakian, besides some youngsters, who were roped into the senior squad. They also had Ray Muscat as their new coach. Siggiewi had Eman Xuereb making his first appearance this season, after missing the first match, but were without the injured Louis Camilleri.

Both teams made a furious start, as they are renowned, with Depiro’s David Agius helping his side to a first lead. Siggiewi’s reaction produced a trio of treys, to go in front. Depiro.s direct play rewarded them with a 9-2 run, but Vella went on the bench, injured. Saakian’s hoops kept the Mtarfa side ahead, till the end of the session, despite a late Adrian Micallef trey for Siggiewi. In the second quarter Siggiewi came out strongly, with an 8-0 run, before Depiro could react with a couple of hoops. Siggiewi were playing better, and a further 10-3 run, with an Eman Xuereb trey, increased their lead. Depiro’s reply was not so convincing, and Siggiewi could enjoy a 39-33 advantage at the interval.

After the break Depiro sought to make up their deficit quickly, but they were thwarted by a 7-0 Siggiewi run, for a double figure lead. A period of balanced play followed, but then Siggiewi dealt two quick blows, with treys by Billy Zammit and Peter Shoults, for a 54-40 advantage. Depiro had to get within the distance, but they only managed to gain a few points in favour. Siggiewi were 58-48 ahead after three sessions. Depiro started the final session with a 10-4 run, coming close and threatening, but when Siggiewi got going an 11-0 run spelt curtains for Depiro, as they couldn’t get back in the short time left. There were still treys, for Depiro’s David Agius and Siggiewi’s Bonnici, the latter in the last seconds, as Siggiewi claimed the victory.

Depiro: R. Vella, JP Schembri, 4 D. Bugeja, 4 A. Aquilina, 9 G. Muscat, 13 J. Gatt, D. Debono, 4 E. Lupo, 13 S. Saakian, 6 I. Tanti, 12 D. Agius

Siggiewi: JP Antoncic, 9 B. Zammit, J. Doughty, 3 E. Xuereb, I. Mercieca, 17 P. Shoults, 14 JP Bonnici, 22 A. Micallef, M. Pajic, 16 J. jetson

Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Emanuel Mangani, Clive Terribile