Luxol pulled the match out of the fire less than two seconds from time, after trailing, sometimes badly, throughout the match. It had to be Belin, and with a triple, to steal the game from Siggiewi’s grasp. It was heartbreaking for the latter side, but Belin had the last say, and the Violets have a second league win, which puts them on top of the standings. Luxol were without Nikols vasovic. Siggiewi had an overhaul in their side. Gone are Nigel Sultana and JP Azzopardi. Players recovered were Louis Camilleri and Jide Jetson, with youngsters, Luke Grima and Samuel Magro, included.

Siggiewi opened up the match with a 7-2 run, and Jeron Belin brought the two teams level on points. Siggiewi went back in front, with a couple of hoops, and then the triples started to go in, Jean Paul Bonnici and Belin for the Violets, and in between, it was Alan Borg and Peter Shoults for Siggiewi, for their side to keep just ahead. In the latter stages Siggiewi obtained a better advantage. In the second period Luxol were back, with more Belin points, but Siggiewi made up an 8-2 run, with two more Borg triples, and his side went into double figures in their lead. Lee Ross pulled Luxol back, and at the other end Marco Matijevic kept Siggiewi on a useful advantage, and a 41-33 score at the interval.

After the break Luxol’s first hoops had Siggiewi with a good enough reply, and a second Shoults triple. The Violets returned with two more hoops, but Siggiewi went one better, with a three basket spread, for a solid advantage, only for Belin to sink a brace of triples, for a closer match, at 59-47 for Siggiewi. In the final session the Violets were right back in the encounter, as they made up a 10-2 run, beginning with Belin points, and another triple. Siggiewi stayed ahead, but their lead had dwindled down. Another Belin triple, and Luxol went right behind their adversaries. A Lee Ross trey helped Luxol to gain a slight lead, only for Siggiewi to turn the score around. Luxol were in possession in the last six seconds, time enough for Belin to sink his final triple, and edge the Violets to a second league victory.

Luxol 1 CJ Cordina, 6 M. Mercieca, 40 J. Belin, 1 A. Micallef Trigona, 20 L. Ross, A. Costa, T. Paris, M. Attard Montalto, E. Caruana Montaldo, 9 JP Bonnici, S. Cappello

Siggiewi R. Agius,3 K. Borg, 4 L. Camilleri, 17 P. Shoults, L. Grima, 23 A. Borg, 12 C. Meier, 3 C. Kodomaris, J. Jetson, 14 M. Matijevic

Referees B. Vassallo, E. Mangani, S. Gouder

Depiro Mtarfa 58

A to Z Electronics Ahleta 70

(10-17, 13-20, 11-18, 24-15)

Athleta’s second league win put them on a par with Luxol, at the top of the standings. They flitted away from Depiro early on in the match, to control proceedings, and built up a prohibitive advantage for their opponents. Depiro made a final effort, which helped them to make up a better score, but still not close enough to the champions, who always seemed to have that little extra in hand.

Depiro fielded their standard formation. Athleta now have their second foreigner, Marco Todorovic, from Serbia.

Depiro put in a quick two baskets, but Athleta settled down well, and a three basket run had them ahead. Depiro reacted, but Athleta made up a further 8-0 run, as Michael Naudi was heavily involved. Till the rest of the period Depiro sought to reduce their deficit, but were only moderately successful. In the second session Athleta didn’t lose time to open up their advantage, before there were triples at both ends, Roderick Vella for Depiro and Omar Said for Athleta, with the latter adding up more free shots. The rest of the session was more or less matched, but Athleat were in control, and not giving their opponents too much space. At the interval the champions had a 37-23 lead.

After the break Athleta went striding forward with an 11-0 run, ending with a number of Naudi points. Depiro responded, and made up a 9-2 run, ending with an Adrian Micallef triple. Athleta extended their lead once more, and after three sessions of play they were on a favourable 55-34 score. Triples opened up the last period, with Greg Hamlin for depiro and Said for the champions. Depiro built up a 9-2 run, but Athleta still enjoyed a heavy advantage. Depiro went slightly nearer, after some spectacular play from Hamlin, but the champions were keeping tabs, and never let their adversaries get near enough to cause any ripples of anxiety.

Depiro 8 R. Vella, JP Schembri,2 A. Aquilina, 2 A. Portelli, 10 A. Micallef, 2 E. Lupo, M. Mallia, 4 I. Tanti, 30 G. Hamlin

Athleta 20 M. Naudi, D. Bugeja, I. Buldakov, M. Giusti, 4 A. Fekete, 12 O. Said, 13 D. Schembri, 3 A. Bonnici, K. Baldacchino, 2 S. Schembri

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