A to Z Electronics Athleta 93

Depiro Mtarfa 52

(20-8)(21-11)(32-12)(20-21)

Athleta and Depiro completed their second phase matches with Athleta now practically certain of progressing to the Play Off final in the Championship Pool games.

Depiro had to win this encounter to pip Luxol into third place but they were never in the match with Athleta keeping a stranglehold on the proceedings.

They kept opening up their advantage with each passing period and Depiro could only have a breather in the final session when the game had lost all meaning.

Athleta were without Etienne Bezzina and Steve Schembri but recovered Alex Ryan. Depiro had Isaac Tanti still unavailable.

Depiro replied to Athleta’s opening hoop but then they had to suffer a 0-10 run with Dirk Schembri finishing off the last two hoops.

Depiro reacted and Andrew Aquilina netted a triple but Athleta were quickly back on track when they ended the session with an 8-2 run as Michael Naudi continued with his tally and his side went on a double figure advantage.

In the second period Depiro made the better opening when they put in a good 11-2 run with a Roderick Vella triple and Emanuel Lupo hoops.

Athleta’s lead dwindled down but then Depiro were shut out for the rest of the session when Athleta started with an Omar Said trey and continued to pour in their points piling up a solid 19-0 run which had them on a sound 41-19 lead at the interval.

After the break Depiro were still being hit badly. Athleta began with an 8-0 run and though Depiro recovered slightly with a second Vella triple, Athleta strode forward with ease and registered a heavy 22-2 run and a Chris Galea trey for a very distorted scoreline.

Depiro managed another triple from JP Schembri but they had a hefty adverse score facing them at 31-73.

The last period was more of an open one. Depiro finally managed to share the points when a good number of players put their names on the scoresheet.

This served to enhance the final result with Said netting a second triple late in the match.

Athleta: 27 M. Naudi, J. Zammit, 16 D. Schembri, 3 C. Galea, 10 O. Said, 21 A. Bonnici, 8 K. Baldacchino, 6 A. Ryan

Depiro: 11 R. Vella, 5 JP Schembri, 4 D. Bugeja, 11 A. Aquilina, 4 J. Gatt, 15 E. Lupo, 2 M. Mallia

Referees: G. Barbara, A. Carbonaro, C. Terribile