Depiro Mtarfa 71

Floriana Francesco Fenech 55

(24-10, 12-14, 14-17, 21-14)

Depiro obtained the victory which left them at the top of the standings, and assured of first place, and a place in the semis. It was Floriana’s opening game in the top division, after quite a number of seasons in the second tier of play. They gave a good account of themselves, but both sides were guilty of too many attempts from the three point line.

Depiro kept the same side that was victorious over Luxol. Floriana had the same squad as last season, in a lower division. Both teams had their American player as a spectator, and they will be on court next weekend, when the games shift to Gozo, for the inaugural Gozo Cup.

Depiro made a handy start, with a 10-2 run, and triples from Roderick Vella and Abraham Portelli. Floriana did settle down, but to share the points with their opponents, but Depiro were forceful once more, till the end of the session, with a 9-2 run, ending with an Andrew Aquilina trey. In the second quarter the Greens were more in evidence, with Chris Sammut at the fore, as they reduced their deficit. Depiro relied once again on their triples, and an 8-3 run had Aquilina and Portelli netting long ones again. Floriana swung into action, and until the arrival of the interval they had gone closer yet again, as Steve Sammut sank his first triple. score at 36-24.

After the break Depiro tried to force the issue once more, with Aquilina netting a third trey. Depiro’s enlarged lead was whittled down, when the Greens combined well, in a 9-2 run, late in the period, as Depiro had a reduced 50-41 advantage. The last session had Floriana falling behind again, only for Steve Sammut, to give Depiro some anxious moments, with his second triple, and a 47-54 score. Depiro had successful fast breaks, which turned into a 12-4 run, to seal the match, although there were still more points at both ends, including a Rihards Polis triple for Floriana.

Depiro 11 R. Vella, 4 JP Schembri, 10 A Portelli,13 A. Aquilina, D. Agius,17 E. Lupo, 4 M. Mallia, 12 I. Tanti

Floriana J. Curmi, N. Mercieca, 22 C. Sammut, 7 I. Mercieca. 12 S. Sammut, 3 R. Polis, 5 A. Sultana, 5 M. Ciantar

Referees B. Vassallo, E. Mangani, C. Terribile