A to Z Electronics Athleta 46

Siggiewi 49

(12-11, 17-5, 13-18, 4-15)

Siggiewi turned the tables on their opponents just a week after the Super Cup loss against the same Athleta.

The latter held a good advantage for the major part of the match but Siggiewi’s forceful play paid dividends in the final period as they pressed constantly and the champions were prevented from playing their usual game. A tense finish saw Siggiewi grab the opening victory in the Shield.

Athleta had Steve Schembri still injured but included their new signing, the utility player Steve Gouder, who sat out the whole encounter.

Siggiewi recovered Jide Jetson from their first match but Eman Xuereb missed the game.

It was Athleta with the opening hoop but Siggiewi’s man-marking bore fruit and an 8-2 run took them in front with Marco Matijevic active under the board.

The champions settled down and found more chinks in the Siggiewi defence as they made up a 9-0 run with an Omar Said triple.

Late in the session Nigel Sultana sank a trey as Siggiewi went to within a point of their adversaries.

In the second period Said was still lethal from the three point line although now it is further away. He nailed in two more in a solid 14-2 run with Siggiewi struggling to hold their opponents at bay.

The re-entry of Matijevic brought some solace but free throws for Athleta had them on a sound 29-16 advantage halfway through the match.

Siggiewi held their own after the break sharing the points at first. Athleta broke through once more with a 9-0 run but Siggiewi staged a comeback till the end of the session building up a 10-0 run to make it 34-42 with the last period to be played.

The initiative went to Siggiewi with athleta working hard to hold on to their lead. This was being whittled down with Siggiewi smelling blood. The breakthrough came in the last stages as Siggiewi first drew level and after missed free shots from the champions it was left to Louis Camilleri with the decisive points as Siggiewi claimed victory contrary to last week’s final efforts.

Athleta: 13 M. Naudi, D. Bugeja, 4 A. Fekete, 4 D. Schembri, M. Giusti, 17 O. Said, C. Calleja, 6 A, Bonnici, 2 K. Baldacchino, S. Gouder

Siggiewi: R. Agius, 9 L. Camilleri, 4 P. Shoults, 9 N. Sultana, 2 A. Borg, 6 C. Maier, C. Kadomaris, J. Jetson, 19 M. Matijevic

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