A to Z Electronics Athleta    75

Siggiewi Derby     63

(22-23)(12-11)(16-17)(25-12)

It was Athleta’s third victory over the champions this season but it was a creditable performance by Siggiewi who had their foreigner on the bench throughout the encounter.

Not only could Athleta not shake off Siggiewi but the latter stayed close and also were in front for a good part of the match.

The champions only succumbed in the final stages when Athleta finished in a flourish obtaining a result which flatters them given the outcome of the match.

Athleta had Etienne Bezzina abroad but Siggiewi were without Marco Matijevic and Marco Pisani whilst Matthew Shoults started a four match suspension.

Athleta had Michael Naudi with an early triple but Siggiewi went ahead at 6-5. Athleta turned in an 11-0 run with Omar said points including a triple.

Nigel Sultana replied for Siggiewi and late in the period there were more treys. Said sank his second but it was the champions with a session ending 12-3 run and triples by Adrian Micallef and Sultana as Siggiewi went a point in front.

Athleta made the better start to the second session limiting their adversaries and taking a 32-26 advantage. Siggiewi returned when they put in their late hoops to advance to within a basket.

With less than a second to go to the interval it was Peter Shoults with two free throws and both teams were level halfway through the match on a 34-34 score.

After the break Siggiewi surprised Athleta starting with a Micallef trey and making up a 9-0 run before Athleta could begin their way back.

It was Naudi and Steve Schembri who pulled their side forward with an 8-0 run which took them to a level score.

Late in the quarter Said put Athleta in front only for Shoults to nail a triple seconds from the end and the champions had a 51-50 lead. Siggiewi opened up a better advantage once more and gained a seven point cushion but Said dragged Athleta back in the fray with two more treys and his side made up a 10-0 run with a further Steve Schembri triple to open up a lead in their favour.

Siggiewi had Shoults with a second trey but Athleta were in command and ended the match with another 7-0 run for a flattering scoreline.

Athleta: 21 M. Naudi, J. Zammit, 10 D. Schembri, M. Giusti, C. Galea, 20  O. Said, C. Calleja, 3 A. Bonnici, 4 K. Baldacchino, A. Ryan, 17 S. Schembri

Siggiewi: 21 P. Shoults, J. Doughty, E. Xuereb, 13 N. Sultana, 3 A. Borg, 19 A. Micallef, K. Borg, 7 J. Jetson

Referees: G. Barbara, JP Sammut, C, Terribile