Honey Athleta 39
Caffe Moak Luxol 61

(12-18, 7-7, 9-19, 11-17)

Caffe Moak Luxol prevailed over an erratic Honey Athleta side to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five final series.

More had been expected of Athleta who were undermined by their poor shooting form.

Despite having playmaker Sara Pace missing, Luxol were still good enough to dictate matters after pulling further away from their opponents in the final minutes of the third quarter.

Luxol could not have hoped for a better start as they obtained the first nine points of the tie.

After opening their account, Athleta improved to narrow the gap to three points, 11-8. Luxol battled back to increase their lead in the final minutes of the first quarter, 18-12.

The second quarter was a balanced affair with Luxol holding on to their lead, changing ends 25-19 ahead.

Athleta and Luxol traded baskets in the third quarter but in the closing minutes, the pattern of the game changed.

Athleta conceded 10 consecutive points as Luxol opened a comfortable 16-point advantage, 44-28.

With Athleta unable to recover from their slump, Luxol brought on their substitutes but still managed to preserve their advantage without difficulty.

Athleta: E. Moore 8, M.C. Cilia, J. Xuereb, L. Cassar 2, L. Sciberras 7, D. Said Hollier, I. Ofamata 20, E. Vella, A. Demanuele, F. Farrugia 2, S.J. Barbara, C. Mifsud.

Luxol: M. Caruana, M. Mercieca 10, B. Naudi 2, P. Ellul 4, G. Costa 11, K. Portelli, S. DeMartino 16, K. Baldacchino 2, P. Bright 14, M. Darmanin, C. Curmi 2.

Referees: E. Mangani, C. Terribile and T. Helenius.

Next fixture
St James Hospital League final (game two Tomorrow, 18.30 Luxol vs Athleta.