Athleta clean sweep

Athleta A-Z Electronics 87
Depiro Mtarfa 54
(26-10, 18-20, 25-13, 18-11)

Athleta won their second consecutive title and ninth in their history when they brushed aside the challenge of Depiro in the third play-off to win the final series 3-0 at Ta’ Qali, on Sunday.

Though Depiro had Greg Hamlin back in the squad after skipping the first two games, they still lacked enough motivation and quality to force a fourth match.

Athleta again had Michael Naudi unavailable but despite the captain’s absence they took control after the opening minutes and never looked back as Depiro’s defence was once again torn apart by their opponents’ slick moves.

Depiro’s match was compro-mised after the fourth minute when Roderick Vella messed up a fast break that could have levelled the scores. Then, with Dirk Schembri unstoppable under the ring, Joe Galea’s men took over and led 44-30 at half-time.

After the interval, Depiro’s play deterioriated and this only helped Athleta to dictate matters and start the last ten minutes with a comfortable 69-43 advantage.

With the match now in their bags, Athleta found little resistance from a confused Depiro side to seal a deserved title.

Athleta: D. Bugeja 8, M. Todorovic 16, M. Giusti, S. Schembri 11, O. Said 11, D. Schembri 22, A. Bonnici 17, K. Baldacchino, A. Fekete 2.

Depiro: R. Vella 9, J.P. Schembri, N. Sultana 12, A. Aquilina, A. Portelli 16, A. Micallef 1, E. Lupo, M. Mallia, I. Tanti, G. Hamlin 16.

Referees: B. Vassallo, E. Mangani, A. Carbonaro.