Siggiewi     79

Floriana F. Fenech     70

(22-11, 27-22, 18-14, 12-23)

Siggiewi managed back to back wins to get over their faulty start to the league campaign.

They also managed to halt Floriana’s two game wins and overtake them in the standings. The Greens fell away behind in the third session but came back strongly only to be denied at the end as Siggiewi ended the match with their last points.

Siggiewi had Peter Shoults injured but Eman Xuereb returned after a long layoff. Floriana’s missing player was Jeremy Curmi.

Siggiewi were the more composed side at first and they opened up with a 12-1 run and triples by the Borg brothers Alan and Karl. Despite Floriana’s next points which drew them nearer Alan Borg sank a second trey.

Evan Fjeld made more points for the Greens but Marco matijevic made hoops as Siggiewi ended the session on a double figure advantage.

In the second period Siggiewi still had a hold on the game and they came up with a 12-3 run and Clement Kodomaris points with the Greens’ points coming from an Ian Mercieca triple.

Points were then shared but Siggiewi’s lead never wavered as triples were netted at both ends – Steve Sammut for Floriana and a third from Alan Borg together with another by Louis Camilleri.

At the halfway stage Siggiewi held a solid 49-33 advantage.

After the break Floriana’s expected recovery didn’t materialise and Siggiewi put in a 7-2 run and Matijevic points. They followed this up with a further 9-0 run and Chris Meier points to break clear. The Greens reacted in the latter stages of the period with a 10-2 run but Siggiewi could still rest on a heavy 67-47 lead.

In the last quarter Floriana began to make pressure and a 9-1 run brought faint hopes. Siggiewi were worried and Floriana kept cutting down on their deficit.

With little time left Floriana had gone to four points in arrears but Siggiewi held out as both teams lost players on fouls. Free throws took Siggiewi enough away to ease their minds and claim the victory.

Siggiewi:  R. Agius, 10 L. Camilleri, 5 K. Borg, 2 E. Xuereb,  L. Grima, 14 A. Borg, C. Meier, 8 C. Kodomaris, 29  M. Matijevic

Floriana: 16  C. Sammut, 13 I. Mercieca, 11 S. Sammut. 3 C. Calleja, 2 A. Baldacchino, 25 E. Fjeld,   A. Sultana,  M. Ciantar

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

Standings

After all the teams have played four matches, AtoZ Electronics lead the standings on eight points. Bupa Luxol occupy second spot with seven points, while Siggiewi and Floriana have six points each. Depiro Mtarfa and Tata Motors Loyola have four points.