Hamrun overcome Luxol in tense match

Bupa Luxol 71
(15-22, 12-9, 19-29, 25-19)
Hamrun Go Mobile 79

In a tense match which saw both sides enjoying good patches at different stages, it was Hamrun who prevailed in the end to make up for their previous setback to Luxol in the MBA Shield.

For most of the game Luxol were lacking in ideas and resorted to individual play which hardly troubled the Hamrun defence. It seems, pivot Silvio Cassar and shooter Robert Azzopardi are still trying to recover form after their injuries.

Hamrun complicated matters in certain parts of the match as they lost their cool almost allowing Luxol to recover and save the match.

After some substitutions, Luxol's tactics improved but in a chaotic finish before the second quarter they suffered two baskets which ruined their plans after they had drawn level on 27-27.

Hamrun were in buoyant mood after the interval to open a 60-46 lead. Luxol hit back to reduce the gap to six points - 63-57 but suddenly they lost their touch again as their opponents took what seemed a decisive 70-57 lead.

But then Luxol profited from some tense moments inside the Hamrun clan and moved within striking distance - 71-69.

Luckily for Hamrun, John Tabone's team failed to cancel that narrow deficit as they held on for a tight win.

Luxol: A. Cremona 1, M. Mercieca 14, R. Azzopardi 14, M. Micallef, D. Schembri 9, M. Bonnici, R. Dalli, A. Bianchi, E. Caruana Montaldo, S. Cassar 6, S. Schembri 27.

Hamrun: K. Borg, D. Camilleri 9, A. Spiteri 15, A. Borg 21, A. Portelli 8, O. Said 16, J. Jetsen 10, I. Terrible, M. Falzon, S. Gouder.

Refs: B. Vassallo, J.P. Sammut.

Pembroke 83
(23-12, 29-13, 16-15, 15-26)
Depiro 66

Pembroke confirmed their superiority in this match against inexperienced Depiro. They started to pull away with a series of three-pointers after the first five minutes to lead 23-12 at the end of the session.

With Depiro failing to take their chances under the Pembroke ring, Joe Galea's team cantered on to hold a comfortable 52-25 lead at half-time.

Pembroke reduced their tempo after the interval and gave ample playing time to their substitutes. Not surprisingly, Depiro dominated the last ten minutes, just enough for them to make the result more respectable.

Pembroke: M. Naudi 22, J. Naudi 13, M. Zammit 14, E. Bezzina 5, J. Galea, L. Fenech 2, D. Cuschieri 13, M. Pisani 3, D. Ross 11.

Depiro: R. Vella 20, P. Schultz 21, J. Vella, M. Ciantar 4, J. Vassallo, E. Lupo 12, A. Schultz 3, M. Mallia, D. Agius 6.

Refs: S. Micallef, G. Barbara.

Siggiewi Smina 42
(11-15, 9-17, 9-19, 13-21)
Footwork 72

Thanks to their second successive victory in the league, Footwork moved up the standings and left Siggiewi still searching for their first victory in the regular season.

Siggiewi continued on their negative trend. They started on a good note but fizzled away as the match wore on.

Footwork, with Steve Sammut and Ian Curmi, in the team had the better start but Siggiewi hit back strongly to level the score only for them to concede the last two baskets of the session to fall behind once again.

Siggiewi's passing was anything but accurate as Footwork now took complete control and held a 32-20 lead at half-time.

With their tall players messing up easy chances Siggiewi were no match for Footwork who took advantage and pulled further away 37-20 after three minutes of the third quarter.

Siggiewi were down and out and never gave the impression of putting in a decent challenge for the rest of the match.

Siggiewi: D. Bugeja, J. Doughty 2, H. Agius 2, R. Mifsud 13, N. Borg 1, J. Gatt 16, A. Farrugia 2, M. Farrugia 1, C. Griscti 5.

Footwork: L. Camilleri 6, S. Sammut 8, I. Mercieca 7, C. Sammut 25, I. Curmi, J.P. Bonnici, A. Bonnici 18, R. Loporto, A. Huizer 8, E. Xuereb.

Refs: B. Vassallo, S. Micallef.

Standings: Pembroke 10 (5-5); Hamrun 9 (5-4); Luxol 7 (5-2); Footwork 7 (5-2); Depiro 7 (5-2); Siggiewi 5 (5-0).

Next fixtures (Sunday - BoV KO prel. round): 2.30 p.m. Siggiewi vs Pembroke, 4.15 p.m. Depiro vs Footwork.

Top scorers: M. Naudi (Pembroke) 140, C. Sammut (Footwork) 115, S. Schembri (Luxol) 110, P. Schultz (Depiro) 100, O. Said (Hamrun) 96.