Another high score win for Athleta

Gzira Athleta 99 Marvels Power 52 (20-16, 29-8, 28-7, 22-21)

Athleta followed up on their century victory in their last outing to defeat Marvels with nearly the same score but sportingly held up play with the last seconds ticking away and not going to pass the century mark.

They held on to their position in the standings and sit pretty on their way to the play offs. Both sides had missing players with Athleta without Michael Giusti and Mark Cilia and Libertas making do without Darren Debattista and Andres Toompere but recovered Christian Briffa. Darryl Pisani was on call again after missing a number of matches.

Athleta went 8-0 in front with Albert Serra points and a trey. Marvels began to put in their hoops from Briffa. Nathan Xuereb sank an Athleta triple as his side extended their lead but Marvels managed to end the session with an 8-2 run as Nicola Guida netted a trey for them.

In the second period, Marvels stayed close for a short time but Athleta then hit their adversaries hard. A solid 14-2 run was followed by another 13-2 run as Serra and Benoit Bartolo sank triples and at the interval, Athleta had gone on to a heavy 4924 score.

After the break, Marvels were still on the receiving end. Serra netted another trey in a 7-0 run. Marvels did reply with a Luke Azzopardi triple but Athleta hit back making up a 20-2 long run as Serra and Xuereb with Miguel Gauci Montaldo scored freely to take their side to a much better 77-31 score.

In the last quarter, Athleta began to ease up allowing Marvels to share the play. Bartolo made another trey for Athleta and so did Glen Borg for Marvels who hiked up their score.

Athleta went a point short of their century but in their last possession they renounced their attack to stop the match at that imminent score.

Athleta: K. Schembri, F. Mifsud Bonnici, A. Serra, J. Falzon, L. Stefanovic, M. Gauci Montaldo, N. Xuereb, J. Aquilina, B. Bartolo, S. Vincic, J. Ransley, M. Cilia

Marvels: G. Borg, N. Guida, D, Pisani, R. Curmi, D. Debattista, D. Verebies, K. Tedesco,A. Morris, C. Briffa,D. Borg, A. Toompere

Referees: E. Mangani, N. Azzopardi

Luxol make heavy weather in beating Libertas Victoria Libertas 63 Luxel 66 (17-13, 20-13, 12-20, 14-20)

When these two sides met in the Shield, Luxol also had difficulty in subduing their opponents.

This time it was Libertas opening up a surprising solid advantage but Luxol came up trumps in the end although their victory was marred by Vukassin Jandric’s disqualifying foul just seconds from the end. Luxol also are chasing a place in the play off semis but they will be without Jandric in their next match. The Violets were without Keith Dimech and Adrian Micallef which lessened their firepower.

It was Luxol with the opening advantage as Jandric and Juan Navarro sank triples. Libertas made up a 9-0 run to forge in front. Jandrin sank a second trey but Libertas were still ahead till the end of the session.

Luxol went nearer in the next period but Marvels were still menacing and put in a 15-3 run with Luxol’s points coming from a Michael Sjoberg triple. Nicola Petrucci and Emanuel Lupo kept Marvels on a good advantage even though Sjoberg and Navarro sank Luxol treys.

At the interval Marvels were enjoying a 37-26 advantage.

After the break, Libertas managed to add on to their lead with a 7-0 run and a Michel Farrugia triple for a maximum 44-26 advantage. Luxol made a huge effort and an 18-1 run with two more Sjoberg treys brought the Violets back into contention.

Marvels were still just ahead at 49-46 when the last session began. Another solid 15-3 run overturned the score completely in Luxol’s favour as Farrugia again sank a Marvels triple and so did Jandric for Luxol.

Marvels came back with a third Farrugia trey but Luxol had points to fall on when Jandric was expelled. Marvels could still make it but they fell short when they failed to net their last effort leaving Luxol the victors.

Libertas: W. Spiteri, M. Farrugia 18, K. Galea 2, N. Petrucci 12, S. Mizzi, D. Miani 12, E. Lupo 11, V. Barbu, M. Agius, B. Soler, D. Agius 18

Luxol: J. Cefai, L. Catuana Montaldo 5, V. Jandric 21, B. Caruana Montaldo, C. Calleja 13, M. Sjoberg 22, J. Navarro 5, M. Steenkamer

Referees: Z. Dobrosavljevic, H. Fozi