Top teams gear up for direct clash

BUPA Luxol and Compleet IS SW geared up for their January 4 showdown with good victories over Depiro and Siġġiewi Smina.

BUPA Luxol 79
Depiro 40
(21-6, 25-4, 14-13, 19-17)

As expected, Depiro had a rough time against champions Luxol. Depiro were outclassed in the first two quarters with the Schembri brothers doing most of the damage.

Luxol took control right from the jumpball and after taking a 9-4 lead, they dominated the rest of the session. Depiro could not up their game in the second ten-minute session. In fact, after managing four points, they could not add to their tally till half-time as Luxol changed ends 46-10 in front.

Luxol slowed the tempo after the interval, allowing Depiro to share the exchanges in the next 20 minutes. The result, however, was never in doubt.

Luxol: R. Dalli, M. Mercieca 4, R. Azzopardi 4, M. Micallef, A. Borg 2, A. Portelli 4, T. Paris, D. Schembri 26, E. Caruana Montaldo, M. Matijevic 16, S. Schembri 23.

Depiro: R. Vella 17, J.P. Schembri, D. Bugeja 3, A. Aquilina 4, J. Gatt 6, D. Debono, E. Lupo 4, S. Saakian 4, I. Tanti 2, D. Agius.

Referees: E. Mangani, A. Carbonaro, C. Terribile.

Siġġiewi Smina 52
Compleet IS SW 70
(10-20, 4-24, 20-15, 18-11)

Compleet kept up the pace at the top of the standings. Like Luxol, they also hit best form in the opening two quarters.

After a good start, Siġġiewi fizzled out as Compleet pressed hard and forced their opponents to commit several mistakes.

Siġġiewi had the better start but when Compleet stepped up a gear they soon found themselves trailing heavily.

With Siġġiewi unable to redress their erratic play, Compleet continued to dominate, changing ends 44-14 ahead.

Siġġiewi's improvement after the interval only helped them to make the score look more respectable. Compleet were long home and dry.

Siġġiewi: J.P. Antoncich, B. Zammit 6, L. Camilleri 7, J. Doughty, I. Mercieca 2, P. Shoults 5, J.P. Bonnici 8, A. Micallef 13, P. Vulovic, M. Pajec, J. Jetsen 11.

Compleet: M. Naudi 9, J. Naudi 7, D. Camilleri 7, E. Bezzina 6, C. Sammut 2, J. Valdisera 2, O. Said 21, C. Calleja , A. Bonnici 7, K. Baldacchino 7, S. Cassar 2.

Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Barbara, S. Micallef.

Standings: Luxol 6 (3-0), Compleet 6 (3-0), Depiro 5 (1-3), Siġġiewi 4 (1-2), Qormi 3 (0-3).

MBA Shield semi-finals (Dec. 21): 2.30 p.m. Luxol vs Siġġiewi, 4.15 p.m. Compleet IS vs Depiro.