Starlites 62

Bupa Luxol 99

(15-28, 18-20, 17-21, 12-30)

Luxol continued on the steps of Loyola as in the previous encounter but Starlites provided that little better opposition.

The first and last sessions proved to be Starlites’ downfall with the Violets racibg away towards the latter stages of the match but they stopped just short of a century renouncing their last possession to leave their adversaries on a two figure score against. Starlites’ youngsters were full of fight and tallied up a satisfying score.

Starlites were without Aaron Cutajar. Luxol fielded their latest full squad.

Robert Bonnici and Robert Loporto kept Starlites in touch with their opponents at first until the Violets made up a 10-2 run to open up a lead. Then it was Francois Bartolo with points for Starlites, also with a triple, only for Luxol to end the period on an 8-0 run with free throws and Lee Ross hoops.

In the next session, the points were more evenly shared. Bartolo netted more hoops for Starlites at first but there was Tom Paris to react for the Violets and keep their advantage constant. Late in the period Luxol made up an 8-2 run with Marco Mercieca points and at the interval Luxol were 48-33 ahead.

After the break, Starlites’ efforts helped them to prevent their adversaries from opening up their advantage further. At first it looked that way but a three basket spread by Starlites restored their deficit.

Antoine Costa nailed a Luxol triple but the two sides were responding to each other’s hoops. Towards the end of the period Loporto netted a trey for Starlites with the Violets still holding a 69-50 favourable score.

The last quarter was a balanced one in the initial minutes but suddenly Luxol took control and they proceeded to pour in a heavy 19-2 run as Starlites wilted under pressure.

When the latter side seemed over this rough patch, there was Ross to sink a triple but Luxol stopped there and just kept possession till the final buzzer.

Starlites: 13 R. Loporto, 15 R. Bonnici, 8 S. Bonnici, D. Azzopardi, 6 C. Doublet, D. Sultana, 1 C. Borg, 6 A. Schembri, D. Deguara, 2 Al. Cutajar, 11 F. Bartolo

Luxol: 14 CJ Cordina, 18 M. Mercieca, 10 A. Micallef Trigona, 11 L. Ross, 11 A. Costa, 2 N. Vasovic, 17 T. Paris, 2 M. Attard Montalto, 2 E. Caruana Montaldo, 6 JP Bonnici, 6 S. Cappello

Referees: E. Mangani, C. Terribile