Pembroke 59
Hamrun Go Mobile 68
(15-14, 16-9, 13-18, 15-27)

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Hamrun maintained their un-beaten record in the Kinnie League after this hard-earned victory over Pembroke to open a two-point lead in the standings after all teams have played their four matches in the first round of the regular season.

The return of David Camilleri was key to the champions' success as the forward left his mark with perfect three-point shots in crucial moments of the match.

Pembroke had a promising start but fizzled away in the last quarter.

Top-scorer Michael Naudi was not his usual self as Abraham Portelli kept a close eye on him. Pembroke missed the services of pivot Jeffrey Gatt, injured, but Tino Riolo is proving to be a good asset for the team.

After a dull start, the game came to life after the fifth minute when Hamrun potted eight points but that lead was neutralised by Pembroke in the final minutes to hold a one-point lead - 15-14.

Hamrun looked to have lost their ploy with the introduction of some substitutes as Pembroke shot ahead 25-15 with three minutes left for half-time. The champions showed signs of recovery but at the break they were still trailing Pembroke 31-23.

Slowly, but surely Hamrun started eating inside their opponents' lead. After potting seven points, they were hit by Pembroke's strong reaction and Joe Galea's boys started the last 10 minutes 44-41 in front.

Hamrun were jolted when they lost Alan Borg for two serious fouls but instead of wilting his team-mates rallied to take a 63-56 lead with a few minutes to go.

Pembroke tried hard to save the match which had looked theirs for most of the time but Alfred Mifsud's team held tight for a useful win.

Pembroke: M. Naudi 13, J. Zammit, N. Lubrano, E. Bezzina 6, J. Galea, T. Riolo 11, A. Micallef 8, D. Cuschieri 6, K. Baldacchino 15.

Hamrun: K. Borg, D. Camilleri 15, A. Spiteri 8, A. Borg 2, A. Portelli 9, O. Said 16, J. Jetsen 12, A. Bonnici 6, I. Terrible, N. Falzon.

Refs: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara.

Bupa Luxol 78
Depiro 58
(22-13, 17-11, 12-17, 27-17)

Depiro suffered their third consecutive defeat last weekend after going down heavily to Luxol who thus moved away from the bottom places in the standings.

Luxol's win was totally deserved as it seems that Depiro have lost their early-season form, particularly in defence. In attack they played badly and missed several shots as Luxol profited after retrieving numerous rebounds in the zone.

Luxol started pulling away midway through the first quarter and with Depiro unable to lift their game John Tabone's side went on to add more points to their tally to change ends leading comfortably 39-24.

Quite unexpectedly, Luxol were found wanting as the match restarted

The start of the third session saw Luxol having problems to find a way past Depiro's zone defence. Adrian Mifsud's team re-opened the issue but after closing the gap to four points, 43-39, Luxol switched back to cruise control and opened a 10-point lead before the last session got underway (51-41).

With Roderick Vella and Don Ross subdued under a tight defensive cover, Depiro gave up the fight and this allowed Luxol to finish easy winners.

Luxol: C. Sammut 22, M. Mercieca 6, R. Azzopardi 5, M. Micallef, M. Portera, C. Pulis, R. Dalli 1, D. Schembri 16, S. Cassar 11, S. Schembri 17.

Depiro: R. Vella 9, D. Bugeja, J. Rodriquez, C. Bugeja, C. Agius, J. Vella 2, M. Ciantar 4, J.P. Azzopardi 9, E. Lupo 20, D. Ross 3, M. Mallia, D. Agius 11.

Refs: C. Farrugia, E. Mangani.

Standings: Hamrun 8 (4-0), Pembroke 6 (2-2), Luxol 6 (2-2), Siggiewi 5 (1-3), Depiro 5 (1-3).

Top scorers: R. Vella (Depiro) 76, S. Sammut (Siggiewi) 68, C. Sammut (Luxol) 66, S. Cassar (Luxol) 65, M. Naudi (Pembroke) 63.

Sunday: 2.30 p.m. Pembroke vs Depiro; 4.15 p.m. Luxol vs Siggiewi.

Peugeot League

With two matches left for the end of the opening phase of the women's Peugeot League, Loyola Xuereb Installation look on course to book a place in the play-offs after the midweek victory over Naxxar Danone even though they lost to Luxol Vodafone on Sunday.

With the national team to play in next March's Commonwealth Games, the women's championship had to be advanced by a few weeks this season for the squad to have ample time to practise before flying to Melbourne.

Champions Depiro Still, meanwhile, kept their impressive unbeaten run going while Hibs Medsea and Luxol also made sure of a place in the play-offs.

Against Luxol on Thursday, Depiro took control of the match from the second session allowing little spaces for their opponents to try shots or even penetrate through their zone. Leading 21-13 at half-time, Depiro went on to beat Luxol 51-30.

On Sunday, Depiro were never troubled by bottom-placed SN Suns who were beaten 85-21.

Luxol returned to victory on Sunday when they had the better of Loyola 50-37.

Duncan Cilia's team kept up the pace till half-time (17-17) but then forward Carina Gauci cried out injured and the players lost concentration. Luxol pulled away for their seventh victory.

Loyola's double over Naxxar edged the team a whisker away from making the play-offs for the first time. At half-time Loyola led 32-25 and stayed focused to repel Naxxar's efforts before clinching a close 58-52 victory.

Naxxar somewhat made up for that upset and kept their slim chances alive with a 60-47 win over Kerygma on Sunday. Hibs, on their part, found few problems against SN Suns and won 92-17.

Standings: Depiro 22 (11-0), Luxol 17 (7-3), Hibs 17 (7-3), Loyola 17 (6-5), Naxxar 14 (4-6), Kerygma 11 (1-9), SN Suns 10 (0-10).

Top scorers: D. Galea (Depiro) 186, B. Zammit (Hibs) 146, L. Bezzina (Hibs) 137, C. Hawkins (Naxxar) 132, C. Gauci (Loyola) 126.

Next fixtures: (Tomorrow) 6.15 p.m. Kerygma vs SN Suns; 7.45 p.m. Luxol vs Naxxar. (Thursday) 7.45 p.m. Hibs vs Loyola.