The two teams started the game with two losses each and it was Starlites who emerged winners to garner their first league victory.

It was a low scoring match especially after the interval but the interest was not lacking as the game drew to its close. Mtarfa led for quite some time and it was touch and go in the final quarter with Starlites just pipping their adversaries at the end.

Mtarfa recovered Graziella Santillo who missed their last match but had Diane Falzon and Charmaine Tanti missing. Starlites still had Marie Claire Cilia injured.

It was Mtarfa with the opening hoop but Starlites took a 9-4 lead after starting with two Lara Pisani triples.

Mtarfa recovered stoutly when Martha Abela jolted her adversaries with a personal nine-point break in an 11-0 closing run which also included two treys.

Martina Scicluna helped Mtarfa to extend their lead at the start of the second period before Starlites replied to cut down on their deficit. In the latter part of the session free shots put Mtarfa on a better advantage. Christine Spiteri made a last hoop for Starlites and at the interval it was Mtarfa 24-17 ahead.

After the break both teams found difficulty in adding to their tally. Marilou Cutajar’s free throws brought Starlites closer but Mtarfa improved slightly on their advantage midway through the period.

Towards the end of the session Starlites made ground and they were a basket away at 25-27 when the last session started. The dearth of points continued with both teams losing numerous occasions of scoring.

Spiteri gave Starlites a brief lead but Scicluna restored Mtarfa’s advantage. The lead changed hands three times before Cutajar sank a couple of hoops for Starlites. It was not yet over as Mtarfa came closer twice more only for Starlites to just hold out for their first win.

Mtarfa: 9 M. Abela, R. Sammut, Y. Muscat, 7 C. Gauci Meilak,  4 M. Mifsud, M. Agius, 2 N. Said, 3 G. Santillo, F. Borg, 9 M. Scicluna, 2 G. Mifsud

Starlites: A. Farrugia, 1 C. Riolo, 5 A. Grixti, 4 S. Tabone, 8 L. Pisani, 11 C. Spiteri, S. Davis, L. Pirotta, N. Attard, C. Scicluna, 9 M. Cutajar

Referees: S. Micallef, J. Mangani