Athleta are the first team in the final
Gzira Athleta 61 Depiro 47 (14-10, 16-11, 17-13, 14-13)
Athleta sped into the final at the first time of asking obtaining their third victory in a row to prepare themselves well although they still have to know who their opponents are going to be.
The truth is Athleta are not playing particularly well but they still managed to achieve their aim. In this third match they were given a helping hand with Depiro having to face them without their experienced Sam Brincat nursing a muscle tear.
Depiro made the first inroads going 8-4 ahead. Athleta settled down and made up a long 10-2 run with a Beverlee Zammit trey and Christina Grima points and forge in front.
Depiro bounced back in the next period to overturn the score but Athleta were again in front soon after. They resisted Depiro’s attempts to regain an advantage and then dealt a blow as they put in another 10-2 run with a Denise Said Hollier triple and more Grima points. At the interval Athleta had opened up a 30-21 lead.
After the break, Depiro had Gaby Mifsud sinking a triple but Athleta’s answer was a good one with yet another 10-2 run as they drew away further ahead. Depiro managed a good response with an 8-2 run and treys from Mifsud and Nicole Agius. Athleta closed down the session with their points and another Zammit trey for a 47-34 advantage.
In the last period, Depiro began well with an 8-0 run and two more Agius triples. Athleta cut them short as they proceeded to build up another 10-2 run mainly by Amelia Simmons. Maria Bonett netted a Depiro trey but they were lagging behind and Athleta’s last points of the encounter had them opening up on their lead still further.
Athleta now have time to prepare as the other semi finalists are in their fourth game if not their fifth till we know the other finalists.
Athleta: M. Stefanovic, C. Grima 22, B. Zammit 6, L. Sciberras 5, A. Simmons 10, D. Said Hollier 16, A. Borg 2, J. Schembri, S. Vella, A. Debenay, C. Mifsud
Depiro: A. Mifsud, G. Mifsud 8, M. Balzaraviciute, M. Bonett 7, N. Agius 11, M. Scicluna, C. Schumacher 8, J. Xuereb, T. DeMartino 4, C. Ciantar 9
Referees: E. Mangani, C. Farrugia, I. Simic