Floriana Fran. Fenech 82

Bupa Luxol 69

(15-22, 21-15, 23-13, 23-19)

It took 49 encounters but the Greens have finally done it. They have beaten Luxol in a top division game and this particular match now sees them above the Violets in direct encounters at the second spot in the standings.

Floriana experienced discomfort before the interval but the latter part of the match turned their way as Evan Fjeld continued to pour in his points. Jeron Belin did the same at the other end yet he still ended up on the losing side.

Borh teams fielded their best formations as Luxol recovered Lee Ross who had missed two games.

After Luxol’s opening hoop it was Floriana who took the initiative as they made up a good 11-2 run with points from the Sammut brothers and Steve Sammut with a triple. Luxol then came into their own as Belin found his scoring touch. A steady 15-2 run with a Jean Paul Bonnici trey along with other points from Belin had the Violets in front.

And another Belin triple before the end of the period had Luxol on a better advantage.

In the second session Luxol were still dictating the play and a 7-2 run with a further Belin trey had them on a double figure lead.

With Belin’s third foul he went on the bench and Lee Ross took to the court. He didn’t last long and Floriana exploded into life.

A heavy 15-0 run as Fjeld found more space had the Greens ahead. Luxol battled back with Belin’s re-entry on court and they went in front on three occasions before the halftime buzzer which had the Violets on a slim 37-36 advantage.

After the break, the score was overturned twice more before Floriana finally went ahead and they kept their noses in front till late in the session.

The final stages had the Greens on a 9-3 run with a Chris Sammut triple and Bonnici getting Luxol’s points also with a trey and Floriana went into the last period resting on a 59-50 advantage.

Luxol began to fall further back as Floriana were finding their mark at the basket. Belin’s personal points from the free throw line had the Violets somewhat nearer but Fjeld was deadly at close quarters.

Belin’s next points were not enough as the Greens were out in front enough to discourage their opponents. Floriana could afford to play out time and emerge winners for the first time against Luxol.

Floriana: J. Curmi, 12 C. Sammut, 8 I. Mercieca, 13 S. Sammut. 7 C. Calleja, 2 A. Baldacchino, 38 E. Fjeld,  A. Sultana, 2 M. Ciantar

Luxol: 2 CJ Cordina, 5 M. Mercieca, 38 J. Belin,  A. Micallef Trigona, 2 L. Ross, A. Costa, 8 N. Vasovic,  T. Paris, M. Attard Montalto, E. Caruana Montaldo, JP Bonnici, S. Cappello

Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, A. Carbonaro