Compleet IS halt BUPA's winning run

Compleet IS SW 72
Bupa Luxol 51
(9-17, 21-6, 22-20, 20-8)

In their last match of the Gatorade League second phase, leaders Bupa Luxol saw their unbeaten record halted by rivals Compleet IS SW.

These two teams will now contest the final play-off for the title.

Compleet IS SW 72
Bupa Luxol 51
(9-17, 21-6, 22-20, 20-8)

Compleet IS finally brought to an end a series of negative results against BUPA Luxol this season. Victory on Sunday went to the more determined side as Compleet took control from the start of the second quarter and never looked back.

Without detracting from Compleet's merit, this was Luxol's worst performance this season. Some of their players were not focused enough and one wondered why coach John Tabone did not bring on his substitutes who most probably would have put on a better show.

Luxol opened by taking a 10-4 lead. Although Compleet improved, Luxol stayed in front until the end of the quarter, 17-9.

Whereas Compleet stepped up their game in the second session, Luxol struggled for motivation, committing several uncharacteristic mistakes. Compleet pounced on their opponents' decline to forge 30-23 ahead at lemon time.

Luxol made a better start in third session but the side was let down by a series of inaccurate passes. Compleet now opened a 49-35 lead. Luxol tried to hit back but failed to cancel out the deficit, trailing 52-43 for the last 10 minutes.

Luxol's game fell apart as the last quarter got underway with Compleet taking the opportunity to boost their morale ahead of the play-offs.

Compleet IS: M. Naudi 23, J. Zammit, C. Calleja, E. Bezzina 9, J. Galea, T. Riolo, O. Said 22, A. Micallef 2, K. Baldacchino 10, S. Cassar 6, R. Mifsud.

Luxol: R. Dalli, M. Mercieca, R. Azzopardi 3, M. Micallef, A. Borg, A. Bianchi 2, T. Paris, D. Schembri 11, E. Caruana Montaldo, M. Matijevic 22, S. Schembri 13.

Refs: J.P. Sammut, E. Mangani, A. Micallef.

Mellieha SVS 59
Depiro 58
(14-14, 19-13, 12-8, 14-23)

Despite having some key players missing, particularly Julian Naudi, Mellieha still managed to beat Depiro by a single point and gain an important victory in their quest to avoid relegation.

Depiro's aspirations at the start of the season were decidedly different and more ambitious but when their captain Roderick Vella is given special attention, they lack drive in attack.

Depiro were behind for most of the opening three quarters but reserved their best for the fourth session only to squander their good work in the last minute of the match.

After a balanced start, several lost possessions and erratic shooting by Depiro paved the way for Mellieha to move into a 33-27 half-time lead.

As Depiro failed to get their act together, Mellieha started the final 10 minutes 45-35 ahead. But, the northerners were then pegged back by Depiro's aggressive approach. With five minutes to go Depiro led 48-46.

Mellieha regrouped to go 55-50 in front but eight consecutive points saw Depiro leading 58-55 with less than two minutes left. Somehow, Mellieha resurfaced and Depiro lost their rhythm. Points from Chris Sammut saw Mellieha through.

Mellieha: M. Cauchi, S. Aquilina 1, E. Xuereb 8, J. Muscat, S. Sammut 12, C. Sammut 18, J. Jetsen 13, R. Loporto 7.

Depiro: R. Vella 11, D. Debono, G. Muscat 2, A. Aquilina 5, A. Tabone 2, J. Gatt 13, E. Lupo 11, I. Tanti 6, D. Agius 8.

Refs: G. Barbara, S. Micallef, A. Carbonaro.

Championship Pool: Luxol 26 (13-1), Compleet 19 (9-4), Siggiewi 14 (6-7).

Relegation Pool: Mellieha 19 (6-7), Depiro 14 (4-9), Floriana 12 (1-11).

Top scorers: M. Matijevic (Luxol) 303, D. Schembri (Luxol) 220, R. Vella (Depiro) 218, S. Schembri ( Luxol) 200.

Gatorade League: Saturday 4.15 p.m. Mellieha vs Floriana. Sunday 4.15 p.m. Siggiewi vs Compleet.