Siggiewi Derby 57

Bupa Luxol 75

(18-11)(15-18)(9-23)(15-23)

The first match in this phase threw the Play Off final spots into doubts as Luxol are now breathing down Siggiewi’s necks and with Athleta also looking behind them wary of any false steps.

A depleted champions side held their own till the interval but then Luxol’s forcing began to take its toll and Siggiewi started to fall further and further behind making their hopes fade away gradually.

It was Luxol’s third straight win to lift their morale for the remaining matches.

Siggiewi had Peter Shoults injured and Lee Ross absent and a seven man side. The Violets had a full side on show.

The champions set the ball rolling with a couple of hoops and they went on to hold their lead after Luxol opened their account. On the next occasion the Violets fared better and Petar Apcev points including a triple in a 7-0 run had them in front. The rest of the session belonged to Siggiewi. Jide Jetson and Marco Matijevic started a run and a late Alan Borg trey completed an 8-0 break for a better advantage.

In the second period Robert Azzopardi went on court for Luxol and promptly sank a triple although Matijevic put in his points for the champions. Luxol then obtained a solid 13-0 run with more Azzopardi points along with two more treys. Luxol held their lead for some time but Siggiewi ended the period on a 9-0 run with a second Alan Borg triple as they took a 33-29 lead into the interval.

After the break Marco Mercieca’s triple brought Luxol closer and wayward passing by the champions gave the Violets more possession and they responded with a heavy 15-2 run through Apcev also with a triple and Andrew Cremona providing the points as their team opened up a useful advantage. Late in the session came a triple apiece as Borg made his third and Luxol’s JP Bonnici put his side 52-42 ahead.

Siggiewi’s efforts in the last session had a setback when Luxol opened up with more treys two more from Apcev and in between another from Nikola Vasovic. Siggiewi kept on trying and Karl Borg also netted a triple but the deficit was prohibitive and the Violets could coast through for their second win in five matches against the champions.

Siggiewi: J. Doughty, 3 E. Xuereb, 17 A. Borg, 8 A. Micallef, 7 K. Borg, 6 J. Jetson, 16 M. Matijevic

Luxol: C. Cordina, 4 M. Mercieca, 14 R. Azzopardi, A. Micallef Trigona, 27 P. Apcev, 3 A. Costa, 7 N. Vasovic, T. Paris, 5 A. Cremona, E. Caruana Montaldo, 15 JP Bonnici, S. Capello

Referees: B. Vassallo, E. Mangani, A. Carbonaro