Luxol extend streak to new season

BUPA Luxol 89
Qormi Kia 50
(20-14, 23-7, 19-9, 27-20)

After a good start, Qormi fizzled out as the more-quoted Luxol side, who added Abraham Portelli (ex-Siġġiewi) to their squad, started to impose their superiority on court.

In summer, Qormi strengthened their ranks with the acquisitions of former Depiro players Antoine Costa and Alex Tabone, besides Karl Borg.

However, they were still not strong enough to keep up with Luxol, winners of all honours at stake last season.

After a testing period Luxol got into gear and by half-time they were already 43-21 in front.

There was only one team in it after the break and Qormi were only able to limit the damage in the fourth quarter when the Shield holders opted to take things easy, allowing more space for their opponents to manoeuvre.

Luxol: R. Dalli, M. Mercieca 6, R. Azzopardi 11, M. Micallef, A. Portelli 2, B. Micallef Trigona 4, T. Paris 2, D. Schembri 32, E. Caruana Montaldo, M. Matijevic 19, S. Schembri 13.

Qormi: K. Scicluna 9, J. Sant, A. Baldacchino 8, J. Anastasi 2, R. Formosa 4, A. Tabone 4, K. Borg 9, A. Axiaq 7, G. Borg, A. Costa 5, S. Cauchi 2, C. Bugeja.

Referees: G. Barbara, S. Micallef, E. Mangani.

Siġġiewi Smina 62
Compleet IS SW 76
(17-20, 24-14, 10-22, 11-20)

IS paraded two of their new signings, rebounder Addison Bonnici and forward David Camilleri. They were playing against former team Siġġiewi, now under the guidance of coach Peter Farrugia. Siġġiewi had forward Adrian Micallef making a return to the team and rebounder Jide Jetsen joining from Mellieħa.

The game had a balanced start with Compleet enjoying a three-point lead by the end of the first quarter.

Siġġiewi, with Micallef in fine form, hit their best patch in the second session and went in for the break leading 41-34.

They held on to their lead until the fifth minute of the third quarter. Then, with Michael Naudi back, Compleet pressed full court and Siġġiewi started to falter badly, giving away possession cheaply and handing the initiative to their opponents.

Siġġiewi's woes increased with the injury to playmaker Louis Camilleri and Adrian Micallef committing his fourth foul during the match. They eventually found it hard to keep up with Compleet.

Siġġiewi: J.P. Antoncich, D. Zammit 3, L. Camilleri 8, J. Doughty, M. Pejec, I. Mercieca 2, P. Shoults 13, J.P. Bonnici 3, A. Micallef 18, J. Jetsen 15.

IS Complete: M. Naudi 10, J. Naudi 5, D. Camilleri 9, E. Bezzina 5, O. Said 8. C. Calleja 1, A. Bonnici 20, K. Baldacchino 2, S. Cassar 16.

Referees: B. Vassallo, J.P. Sammut, A. Carbonaro.