Depiro in the doldrums after Siggiewi upset

Siggiewi Smina 75
Depiro Kyocera 58
(17-16, 25-12, 23-12, 10-18)

On Sunday, Siggiewi forgot all about their dreadful display against Hamrun two days earlier and went on to score their third victory of the regular season, leaving bottom-placed Depiro with an arduous task to clinch a place in the play-offs.

For Siggiewi, young Steve Sammut stood out with his three-pointers in crucial moments of the game. In all, he potted 22 points for his team.

Depiro veteran Don Ross was left alone trying to keep the ship afloat as various players in the team confirmed that they are performing well below their normal standards, especially in their shooting.

After a balanced start, with Siggiewi holding a slim 17-16 lead at the end of the first quarter, Alex Farrugia's men took advantage from some sloppy Depiro passing and shooting to open a 31-20 lead by the fifth minute.

Depiro regrouped forces but after recovering some lost ground, 31-26, they succumbed to Siggiewi's bold reaction. The latter took a comfortable 42-28 lead at the half-time break.

Depiro looked better after the interval but their efforts were not enough to unsettle the confident Siggiewi side as the gap continued to widen - 65-40 - before the last ten minutes got underway.

Siggiewi were not to be denied on the day. They kept hold of the game and never gave Depiro the chance to get back into the match.

Siggiewi: R. Mifsud 5, S. Sammut 22, L. Camilleri 8, J. Doughty 1, H. Agius 2, M. Barberi 5, P. hultz 15, J.P. Bonnici 4, M. Schultz, A. Huizer 6, S. Saakian 5, E. Xuereb 2.

Depiro: R. Vella 7, E. Cassar 4, J. Rodriquez, G. Muscat, A. Aquilina, J. Vella 2, M. Ciantar, J.P. Azzopardi 2, E. Lupo 8, D. Ross 21, M. Mallia 4, D.Agius 10.

Referees: J.P. Sammut, E. Mangani.

Bupa Luxol 57
Hamrun Go Mobile 65
(11-19, 18-15, 13-17, 15-14)

Leaders Hamrun had David Camilleri and Noel Falzon back in their squad after missing the previous match against Siggiewi.

They had the better of Luxol who are finding the going tough and struggling against the top teams in the league. Hamrun exploited Luxol's weaknesses underneath the boards to chalk up their sixth victory so far.

Luxol, with playmaker Chris Sammut and pivot Silvio Cassar finding few spaces where to manoeuvre, could not cope with Hamrun's effective plan and it was left to Steve Schembri to notch points by penetrating through a tight individual marking defence.

Hamrun soon started pulling away but Luxol improved as the second session started, only managing to reduce the gap to a single point 21-20 before seeing Hamrun racing to a 34-29 lead at the break.

Hamrun were slightly the better outfit after the restart to extend their lead to 45-35 after five minutes. Luxol tried to come back but the champions administered their lead wisely to start the last ten minutes 51-42 ahead.

Hard as they tried Luxol could not bridge the gap as Hamrun held on till the final whistle for a useful victory.

Luxol: C. Sammut 11, M. Mercieca 7, R. Azzopardi 6, B. Micallef Trigona, C. Pulis, R. Dalli, D. Schembri 1, E. Caruana Montaldo 5, S. Cassar 5, S. Schembri 22.

Hamrun: K. Borg 6, D. Camilleri, A. Spiteri 18, A. Borg 5, A. Portelli 4, O. Said 15, J. Jetsen 13, A. Bonnici 4, N. Falzon.

Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara.

Standings: Hamrun 13 (6-1), Pembroke 11 (4-3), Siggiewi 11 (3-5), Luxol 10 (3-4), Depiro 9 (2-5).

Top scorers: P. Schultz (Siggiewi) 121, M. Naudi (Pembroke) 114, S. Schembri (Luxol) 108, S. Sammut (Siggiewi) 108, C. Sammut (Luxol) 107.

Next fixtures

(Tomorrow - Louis Borg Cup, preliminary round) 7.45 p.m. Pembroke vs Siggiewi.

(Sunday - BoV KO SFs) 12.45 p.m. Siggiewi vs Pembroke; 2.30 p.m. Luxol vs Hamrun.