Marvels go into sole second position with win over Mellieha

Marvels Power Plus 55 Mellieha Tritones 48 (12-13 22-8 7-7 14-20)

Both sides went into this match on a win and defeat each. It was Marvels who strode forward with their second league victory leaving Mellieha in their wake.

An important capture by Marvels was the return to play of Steve Sammut who boosted the side for their future matches. Mellieha now under the guidance of Ian Curmi just like last season were missing Robert Loporto who was abroad.

At the start it was Mellieha who twice went in front with their opponents keeping close in touch. A brace of hoops from Clint Grixti extended Mellieha’s advantage with Marvels again going to within a point with two late hoops from Christian Briffa and Jonathan Ransley, their two tall forwards. In the next session, Marvels were in control with Mellieha having a dismal time in this period. A 12-0 Marvels run with a couple of triples from Darren Debattista propelled Marvels forward.

Mellieha’s reply came from a Rihards Polis trey but Marvels were back with another 10-2 run and more triples by Sammut and David Garcia.

Late free throws only inched Mellieha forward and at the interval, Marvels were on a solid 34-21 advantage.

After the break, there was a dearth of points with both sides sharing 14 points between themselves.

Play fluctuated at either end but Marvels held on to their comfortable lead going into the last quarter this time on a 41-28 advantage.

In the last period, the points picked up once more. It was Ransley who led the Marvels attack with Garcia also nailing another triple.

At the other end the reaction came from Polis and a little help from Ian Terribile.

Polis found his shooting touch putting in a trio of treys with three more hoops and Terribile provided the free shots.

Mellieha gained ground but not enough to make a determined effort to take something from the encounter as Marvels stayed in second position in the standings.

L. Azzopardi 2, D. Massa, D. Pisani, R. Curmi, D. Debattista 7, C. Camenzuli 2, D. Garcia 10, C. Briffa 10, S. Sammut 8, J. Ransley 14, A. Toompere 2

R. Polis 22, M. Farrugia, J. Vibes 4, J. Muscat 1, C. Grixti 4, I. Terribile 11, B. Aquilina, E. Lupo 5, B. Soler 1

Z. Dobrosavljevic, I. Marjanovic