McDonalds Depiro     52

A-Z Elec. Athleta     67

(8-18, 14-13, 11-17, 19-19)

Athleta surmounted Depiro’s obstacle and now will face Siggiewi in the final next Sunday. Depiro made heavy going against the champions with Athleta displaying most of their wares in this encounter.

Athleta’s defence functioned well even when they lost Addison Bonnici through injury and it was only in the latter stages of the match that Depiro could tally up a series of points when the game was already cut and dried for the champions.

Depiro had their American Greg Hamlin and also new signing Adrian Micallef. Athleta paraded their second foreigner Mohammed Kuwaid from Bahrain. The new foreigners from both clubs were already on show in the Gozo Cup.

Athleta’s opening efforts found a reply from Depiro until the champions broke through and a solid 12-0 run with an Omar Said triple. had Depiro flustered and making mistakes.

It was only in the very last second of the period that Athleta’s defence was breached when Roderick Vella sank a long triple to earn his side some needed points.

In the second session Depiro came more into the picture. Andrew Aquilina netted an early trey for them and athleta’s advantage began to waver. Depiro went to five points adrift but the champions pulled themselves together and by the interval had opened up another lead and a 31-22 score.

After the break Athleta’s authority was more evident as depiro couls only react twic wto their adversaries’ thrusts as the champions made up an 8-2 run.

After Aquilina’s second triple for Depiro Athleta put in a further 7-0 run. Depiro made a late contribution but they were still 33-48 in arrears with a quarter to go.

The game became more balanced with Athleta intent on preserving their advantage. There were more triples with Said and Andras Fekete for the champions and Micallef for Depiro.

Athleta’s last run at 9-0 produced a response from Depiro when they ended the match on a similar 9-0 run obtaining amore respectable score on their part but unable to prevent the champions from defending the honour won last season in the final.

Depiro: 9  R. Vella,  JP Schembri, 6 A. Aquilina, 8 A Portelli, 7 A. Micallef,  E. Lupo,  M. Mallia, 11 I. Tanti, 11 G. Hamlin

Athleta: 12  M. Naudi, 6 D. Bugeja, 16 M. Kuwaid, 14 D. Schembri,  M. Giusti, 5 A. Fekete, 8 O. Said, 5 A. Bonnici, K. Baldacchino

Referees: G. Barbara, E. Mangani, A. Carbonaro