Starlites Sports Exp. 24

Alyssa Ashley Loyola 84

(6-21, 7-12, 7-29, 4-22)

Loyola, as expected, continued on their victory over Luxol a few days before and their win over Starlites gave them a top spot in the standings although with a game more. Starlites could not keep up with their adversaries and were unable to back up their win over Phoenix in mid-week which took them off the bottom rung of the table.

Starlites kept the same side as in their last encounter but Sandro Farrugia was in charge in lieu of Tino Riolo. Loyola had to make do without Justine Mangion, Sandra Schembri Wismayer and Kirsty Tonna.

Adalia Bonanno began for Loyola with her free throws and later on it was Desarae Johnson, with a personal 7-0 run, as they left Starlites with only a single hoop yet.

The latter did manage to net a couple of baskets more but Loyola ended the session with an 8-2 run breaking clear from early on.

In the next period and several changes in the Loyola court personnel, Starlites could be seen more in the picture. The opening play was shared but then Loyola made up an 8-2 run with Denise Hollier hoops. Starlites put in late points with Lindsey Pirotta leading her side.

At the halfway stage Loyola were leading 33-13.

After the break, Loyola were back pressing and limiting possession to their opponents. A solid 13-2 run started them off before Pirotta could sink a triple for Starlites. Loyola then took over once more and continued with another hefty 16-2 run this time with Johnson and Abigail Sciberras hoops for a 62-20 advantage.

In the last session, Starlites netted an early triple by Charlotte Riolo but Loyola promptly retaliated with an 8-0 run and Sammy Jo Barbara points.

Starlites added on a further hoop with Loyola closing down the match with a last 12-0 run and an expected high score.

Starlites: A. Farrugia, 3 C. Riolo, 1 A. Grixti, 3 S. Tabone, 

S. Cutajar,  2 S. Davis, 8  L. Pirotta, 2 N. Attard,  MC Cilia, 2 C. Scicluna, 3 M. Cutajar

Loyola: 3  E. Moore, 4 C. Grima, 5 J. Doughty,  14 D. Hollier,  12  A. Bonanno, 13  A. Sciberras, 10 SJ Barbara, 23 D. Johnson

Referees: E. Mangani, J. Mangani

Honey Athleta 90

Phoenix Qormi Mendoza 44

(22-13, 21-5, 24-21, 23-5)

Athleta’s victory over Phoenix in their first match this season helped them to continue their path away from the lower echelons of the standings.

They were regular in their high scores in every session with Phoenix giving as good as they got after the interval before succumbing once more to superior adversaries in the last period.

Athleta were missing Madeleine de Martino while Phoenix had Daniela Zammit, Carla Marie Vella, Maria Rita Agius and Lorna Mifsud all absent and recovered Vanessa Mifsud Tommasi.

The match began with triples as Aleksandra Ratomska and Leanne Sciberras netted theirs and Carina Gauci Meilaq and Ann Camilleri replied for Phoenix.

Athleta made up an 8-2 run with the Qormi side  reacting to drag themselves back. Athleta’s last points of the period opened up a better advantage.

In the second session, Phoenix were hit hard as Athleta rammed in a solid 17-0 run mostly from Ratomska and Francesca Farrugia.

When Phoenix rallied back it was Gauci Meilaq, with another triple, as the last points were shared and with Athleta resting on a 43-18 advantage at the interval.

After the break, both sets of attacks had the better of their respective defences as the  score leapt up admirably. Till midway through the period, the points were shared out but later on Athleta put in a 9-2 run only to be followed with an 8-2 Phoenix run and a Helene Potigny trey.

After three sessions of play, Athleta were 67-39 in front. Phoenix were on the receiving end once more in the last period. Athleta built up another strong 14-2 run, mostly from Ratomska. Phoenix made a reaction but Athleta were still superior as Claire Ciantar closed down their tally with her personal points.

Athleta: 28 A. Ratomska,11  C. Ciantar, 2 L. Calleja, 7 L. Sciberras, M. Azzopardi Duca, G. Muscat,  R. Sciberras, 15 F. Farrugia, 15  K. Busuttil, 10   C. Mifsud

Phoenix: 4 M. Abela, 3 V. Agius,6  F. Micallef, 20 C. Gauci Meilaq, V. Mifsud Tommasi, 3 M. Agius,  N. Said, 5  H. Potigny,  3 A. Camilleri,       

Referees: E. Mangani, J. Mangani

Luxol 64

McDonalds Depiro 53

(10-15, 23-13, 14-12, 17-13)

In the last match of the first round, Luxol recovered from their defeat by Loyola in midweek to inflict the first loss on Depiro bringing three teams on level points at the top of the standings.

A good Depiro opening was not enough as the champions rallied back and their triples stretched Depiro, who had to chase elusive opponents after the interval.

Despite losing players on fouls the Violets held out to register their win.

Luxol’s only absentee was Lara Chetcuti. Depiro had their coach Adrian Mifsud suspended with Joe Vella taking his place. Edwina Vella is on a long term injury.

Depiro made an auspicious start with a 9-0 run and a couple of Steffi De Martino hoops. Luxol replied with a Beverlee Zammit triple and they went closer later on.

Free throws extended Depiro’s lead but Mandi Sciortino netted another triple for the Violets. A Sam Brincat three point play had Depiro extending their lead once more.

In the second session, Luxol were level with a Sarah Pace triple and the same Luxol replied twice more as Brincat netted a Depiro trey with an instant reaction and  a second Pace triple for Luxol.

Depiro forged forward again but this time Luxol made a better response with an 8-2 run and a Greta Zarb trey. Depiro were back on level terms but in the remaining time it was Robin Murphy for Luxol with her points and a triple for a 33-28 advantage at the interval.

After the break, Depiro’s attempts to annul their deficit were spoilt by another Pace triple and the Violets held on to their lead until Depiro’s spurt brought them to just a basket behind.

Then it was Luxol again to increase their efforts and finish off the session on a 7-2 run which had them on a 47-40 advantage.

Sciortino’s points extended the Violets lead in the final session but Depiro then made their reaction with the champions losing two players - Murphy and Sciortino - on fouls.

A 9-0 run with a Brincat triple had Depiro just behind their adversaries. Luxol put in a second Zarb triple with Depiro going close yet again. Free throws helped Luxol to open up a better advantage which continued to build up till the end of the match.

Luxol: 14  S. Pace, 13 M. Sciortino, C. Medina, 2 B. Naudi,  J. Busuttil Gaerty, 14 G. Zarb,  P. Ellul, 10 R. Murphy, 1 D. Muscat, 2 A. Paul, 8 B. Zammit

Depiro: A. Mifsud, G. Mifsud, J. Xuereb, 23 S. Brincat, 3 V. Woods, 3 F. Bianco,  T. De Martino, 4 A. Borg, C. Sammut,  M. Mifsud, 3 S. Micallef, 17 S. De Martino

Referees: E. Mangani, S. Gouder

Standings

At the end of the first round, Alyssa Ashley Loyola, Luxol and McDonalds Depiro are joint leaders with 11 points each. Hibs Melita Gardens follow on nine points, next are Athleta on eight, Starlites Sports Experience, seven and Qormi Phoenix Mendoza six.