Valletta Mapei champions

Decisive matches from the Malta Volleyball Association competitions were played last weekend at the Cottonera Sports Complex.

Valletta Mapei secured the men's league crown while Paola Hibs Candy won the National Cup for the sixth successive year.

In the men's league, Mapei faced Fleur de Lys Westen with the title at stake. FDL started well by winning the first set but Mapei clinched the next two sets to move 2-1 in front.

Paul Vella, Robert Balzan and Ron Stivala wreaked havoc in the FDL defence but excellent attacks from Paul Tonna kept his team in contention.

Then, a series of unforced errors by FDL tilted the balance Valletta's way as they went on to secure the fourth set and the league honours.

The women's National Cup final, between Hibs and Flyers, was played over two days.

The opener went Hibs' way. They won the first two sets but Flyers put up more of a fight in the third set. However, their reaction came too late as the experienced Hibs team won a close third set 25-21.

In the second match, played on Sunday afternoon, Flyers were no match for the superior Hibs. It was clear that their defeat the previous day had dampened the morale of Carmel Gauci's team.

Hibs won 3-0 with an impressive run of services in the third set by Martha Curmi being the highlight of the game. Curmi went on to notch up 12 consecutive service points.