There was an understandable wait for this match which opened the men’s national League. Luxol’s strengthened outfit was being pitted against the top dogs and Athleta showed their worth with an efficient performance which took the Violets back to the drawing board after suffering their third defeat this season against their neighbours.

Athleta’s machine keeps rolling on as they strode into an early lead and never looked back. As it was there were more than a score of triples in this encounter which resulted in a high scoring one.

Luxol introduced their new foreigner a Macedonian Petar Apcev. Athleta were missing Kristin Baldacchino who was getting married on the day with Hibs’ female stalwart Kirsten Micallef. We offer our congratulations.

Both sides netted triples soon after the start with Nikola Vasovic for Luxol and Michael Naudi for Athleta. From a 5-5 score it was Athleta who produced a 10-0 run with Luxol unable to reply until it was Apcev with his free throws.

Athleta made up another 7-2 run as Steve Schembri nailed a triple. Before the session ended it was Marco Mercieca who sank a trey for the Violets but his side were still behind. Luxol pulled points back at the start of the second quarter but then so did Athleta to hold on to their double figure advantage.

Bupa began to rely on their triples as Jean Paul Bonnici netted twice and Robert Azzopardi put in another one. Naudi was still making his hoops and Athleta held on to a good lead. In the last stages Luxol were hit by a 0-7 run as Steve Schembri finished off with a triple and a sound 41-27 lead for his side.

After the break Athleta kept on this time with an 8-0 run before the Violets resorted to their treys once more but they had fallen further behind.

Vasovic and Bonnici put in theirs but Athleta’s response consisted of a healthy 15-0 run with a Schembri triple and he connected with another soon after. Then it was two triples from Azzopardi and two more from Bonnici which pushed up Luxol’s score but Athleta were safe in front with a 70-50 lead and a session to go.

The Violets were then swept away as Athleta turned in a heavy 18-2 run with Schembri making a couple of triples more and Omar Said sank his too. When Luxol reacted it was an 8-3 run but they suffered yet another trey from Alex Ryan. there was still a last triple by Luxol’s Antoine Costa but Athleta had long been tasting their victory.

Luxol: E. Bonello, 7 M. Mercieca, 15 R. Azzopardi, A. Micallef Trigona, 11 P. Apcev, 3 A. Costa, 6 N. Vasovic, 2 T. Paris, 2 A. Cremona, E. Caruana Montaldo, 20 JP Bonnici, S. Mizzi

Athleta: 28 M. Naudi, J. Zammit, C. Galea, 2 E. Bezzina, M. Giusti, 11 D. Schembri, 17 O. Said, 2 C. Calleja, 10 A. Bonnici, 3 A. Ryan, 22 S. Schembri

Referees: B. Vassallo, JP Sammut, C. Terribile