Siggiewi recovery continues

Siggiewi's recovery in the Kinnie League continued last weekend as they obtained a third consecutive victory after beating leaders Fiat Luxol.

Fiat Luxol 71
Siggiewi 72
(11-25, 23-15, 26-13, 11-19)

After their cup semi-final upset to Hamrun, Luxol suffered another setback, this time in the league against Siggiewi. Luxol are passing through a difficult patch as their inconsistent play is proving to be their downfall.

Some of Luxol's best players, in one way or another, are letting the side down. Not everyone in the team is doing his part in defence as others are complicating matters up front.

Siggiewi coach Ray Muscat had all players available except for the injured Alan Borg as the team is now seeking to avoid the fourth place.

Siggiewi soon took the upperhand to lead 25-11 by the end of the session. Luxol coach John Tabone changed tactics and his move paid dividends as Siggiewi lost all composure seeing their lead vanish to a point 31-30 by the the seventh minute. But Richard Schembri then missed a three-pointer as Siggiewi went on to change ends 40-34 ahead.

Luxol opened strongly in the third quarter taking a 54-42 lead with three minutes left. But another Schembri blunder from outside the zone gave Siggiewi new hopes as they started the last ten minutes seven points adrift - 60-53.

Now it was Luxol's turn to lose touch. Siggiewi profited fully to lead 69-65 with three minutes left. Luxol hit back though and with Siggiewi's top-scorer Adrian Micallef out, Silvio Cassar put them 71-70 ahead.

Siggiewi failed to pot from their next attack, Luxol recovered possession but Schembri opted for personal glory and missed his shot.

Muscat's players retrieved the ball and with four seconds left, captain John Doughty, all alone on the free-throw line, saw his effort bouncing twice on the ring before going in to the delight of his clan. Indeed, a dramatic victory.

Luxol: D. Falzon, M. Mercieca 8, R. Azzopardi 8, A. Caruana, R. Schembri 11, B. Micallef Trigona, R. Dalli 5, A. Bianchi, I. Attard 20, S. Cassar 19.

Siggiewi: M. Pisani 10, D. Agius 2, J. Doughty 2, N. Farrugia 20, A. Portelli 2, A. Micallef 19, R. Mifsud, S. Cauchi 4, J. Gatt 13.

Stingers 65
Pembroke Tumas Gr. 81
(17-26, 17-17, 14-16, 17-22)

Pembroke are snapping behind Luxol's heels after the Reds closed the gap on the leaders to a single point following this win. Stingers tried their best but this defeat means that now they have to play in the Promotion Pool to maintain their Kinnie League status.

Pembroke had Michael Naudi missing and found strong resistance from Stingers. It was only in the fourth session that they opened a commanding lead to secure the points.

The equilibrium in the opening session was broken midway through when Pembroke potted eight consecutive points to take a 26-17 lead. Stingers tried to recover but each time they reduced the gap up came Pembroke's reply.

The opening three minutes of the last quarter proved fatal for Stingers. Pembroke were impeccable in all they did and opened a 67-48 lead. Victory was never in danger for Joe Galea's team.

Stingers: C. Sammut 8, E. Xuereb 2, I. Mercieca, L. Camilleri 2, M. Barberi 12, D. Schembri 4, S. Sammut, A. Bonnici 7, A. Huizer 3, S. Schembri 27.

Pembroke: J. Naudi 13, E. Bezzina 11, M. Spiteri, M. Borg, O. Said 25, J.P. Azzopardi 4, D. Cuschieri 20, T. Degiorgio 4, G. Cassar 4.

Standings: Luxol 16, Pembroke 15, Siggiewi 13, Hamrun 12, Stingers 10 (Hamrun have a game in hand).

Next fixtures (Louis Borg Cup SFs): Saturday - 3.15 p.m. Luxol vs Pembroke; 5 p.m. Siggiewi vs Ham-run. Sunday - 2.30 p.m. Pembroke vs Luxol, 4.15 p.m. Hamrun vs Siggiewi.