Marvels return to winning ways

Montpellier signs Czech Republic defender Pokorny

Marvels Power Plus 71 Starlites Naxxar 49 (17-13, 24-8, 12-16, 18-12)

Marvels are now in second position in the standings after returning to winning ways. It was their second win in two matches against Starlites who had registered their opening victory in their last encounter.

Marvels were missing three players Darren Debattista Kamil Maruda and Darryl Pisani besides their coach Kevin Zammit with Maria Agius taking his place.Starlites did not include Nikola Stankovic this time with Adan Vella Cardona taking his place. Isaac Pace was also missing with Miguel Falzon playing his first match in the second tier of play.

The two sides started early with their triples as Marvels had Luke Azzopardi and Starlites’ Mirko Azzopardi and Ryan Carabott netted theirs and Alex Perunicic also sank a trey to tie the score after an early Marvels lead.

The latter side were ahead once more with Azzopardi making a second triple and they helld their advantage.

In the second period Jonathan Ransley increased Marvels’ advantage with Carabott again netting a trey for Starlites.

This time it was Marvels with more treys two from Andrew Morris and another again from Azzopardi.

They established a better lead which was enhanced as Christian Briffa made a personal three hoop spread.

At the interval, Marvels were cruising on a solid 41-21 score.

After the break, Starlites started well enough with a 14-2 run beginning with Perunicic hoops.

They crept closer but then were stopped with Marvels turning the tables and putting in a 10-2 run of their own to gallop clear once again with a 53-37 advantage.

In the last quarter Marvels consolidated their lead with Andres Toompere points and a triple. Starlites tried to get back in teh match but Marvels held a good control on the match as they managed to add on to their lead till the end.

L. Azzopardi 14, D. Massa, M. Fenech 4, R. Curmi 2, C. Camenzuli 6, A. Morris 6, C. Briffa 14, J. ransley 19, A. Toompere 6, J. Ransley, A. Toompere

A. Barthet, M. Azzopardi 3, L. Vella 2, A. Xuereb 5, M. Vella, M. Falzon 9, A. Perunicic 11, A. Vella Cardona, R. Carabott 15, Q. Bugeja 2, A. Cutajar, M. Farrugia 2

E. Mangani, J. Mangani

Siggiewi victory in comfortable

Mellieha Tritones 46 Siggiewi St. Nicholas60 (14-8, 8-10, 7-15, 17-27)

Siggiewi had already eliminated Mellieha in the K.O. semis in their alst encounter and they followed this up with their third league victory to go behind their opponents and with a game less. Mellieha still play in spurts and their disparity in results does not bode them well.

Mellieha had Michel Farrugia and John Muscat back in teh side along with Ian Terribile who recovered from his arm injury. Siggiewi welcomed Lee Grech who missed quite a few matches but their Serbian player Slavko Opejevlic was missing.

It was Mellieha with the better start and an 8-0 lead with a Robert Loporto trey. Svens Niedritis netted a triple for Siggiewi. The rest of the session had Mellieha making more points with Siggiewi replying on every occasion as Mellieha held on to their advantage.

In the next session, Mellieha could retain their lead for some time as Samuel Aquilina and Emanuel Lupo made their hoops with Siggiewi inching back late in the period with a Hubert Agius trey but it was still Mellieha ahead at the interval on a 22-18 score.

After the break, Mellieha began to fall away with Siggiewi more incisive. A 7-0 run overturned the score and Siggiewi followed this up with another 7-2 run and a JP Antoncic triple. Michel Farrugia netted a Mellieha trey but this time it was Siggiewi in front on a 33-29 score.

In the last quarter, Mellieha tried hard with Terribile making his hoops but Siggiew were making more triples by Roberto Alosco netting two and Lee Grech. Alosco put in his third soon afterwards and Siggiewi were on a healthy advantage.

There was no Mellieha reaction and Siggiewi’s lead opened up more with another 8-0 run by Niedritis and Alosco. Melleiha managed some more points late in the game but they were nowhere near their opponents.

C. Grixti 5, M. Farrugia 3, R. Loporto 7, J. Vibe,J. Muscat, B. Aquilina, D, Miani 6, E. Lupo 10, I. Terribile 6, S. Aquilina 5, B. Soler 4

L. Grech 7, JP Antoncic 5, K., Scicluna 5, S. Niedritis 14, H. Agius 10, G. Agius 2, R, Alosco 17,R. Camilleri, Re. Camilleri, J. Camilleri, K. Arvanitekis

Referees: Z. Dobrosavljevic, M. Rajczi

Siggiewi climb further up the standings

Siggiewi St. Nicholas80 Starlites Naxxar 63 (13-9, 21-10, 22-21, 2423)

Siggiewi managed a league double over Starlites as they went behind leaders Athleta edging Marvels on a better basket difference in direct encounters.

They were playing without their Latvian Svens Niedritis and Serbian Slavko Opejevlic but were still strong enough to emerge victors.

Starlites jad Mirko Azzopardi missing along with Andrew Barthet and Matthew Farrugia their bench players but they recovered Isaac Pace.

JP Antoncic netted an early Siggiewi triple and another by Hubert Agius had them on a better advantage Starlites had Alex Perunicic also with a trey with Gabriel Agius netting the last hoop of the period for Siggiewi.

In the next session, after more Siggiewi points, it was Starlites who went ahead for the only time in the match after an 8-0 run and Quentin Bugeja and Perucinic triples.

Siggiewi took control of the match as they continued till the interval to post a long 18-2 run mainly by Lee Grech and Kostas Avranitakis.

At the interval, Siggiewi were 34-19 in front.

After the break, the points were becoming more plentiful at both ends.

Siggiewi opened up a better lead before Starlites could offer replies with their treys two from Perucinic and another by Alex Cutajar but Siggiewi were still putting in their points at regular intervals to establish a good 56-40 lead.

In the last period, Perucinic netted his fifth triple for Starlites but Siggiewi had Keith Scicluna and Roberto Alosco doing the same.

Perucinic kept up his scoring for Starlites although his side were still at a distance as Siggiewi maintained their comfortable advantage.

Starlites ended the game with a 7-0 run which only served for the personal scoring lists of their players.

L. Grech 9. JP Antoncic 7, K., Scicluna 13, H. Agius 15, G. Agius 6, R. Alosco 14, R. Camilleri, Re. Camilleri 6, J. Camilleri 1, K. Arvanitekis 9

L. Vella 6, A. Xuereb 2, M. Vella, I. Pace 2, A. Perunicic 35, A. Vella Cardona, Q. Bugeja 13, A. Cutajar 5 B. Sly, I. Marjanovic Czech club Slovan Liberec says captain Lukas Pokorny has agreed to move to France to play for Montpellier.

Liberec says the 23-year-old defender has signed a 3½-year contract. Financial details were not given.

Pokorny played 60 league games for Liberec, scoring two goals. He has also played one international game for the Czech Republic.