Caffe Moak Luxol 62
Honey Athleta 53

(11-8, 18-14, 18-14, 15-17)

Caffe Moak Luxol launched their bid to retain the title in convincing fashion as they overcame Honey Athleta in the opening match of the best-of-five play-off league final.

Athleta try to produce a comeback but it was too late to unsettle Luxol.

Luxol were off to a blistering start, potting the first seven points. Athleta gradually improved to cut the deficit to three points, 11-8, at the end of the first quarter.

At the start of the second quarter Luxol scored the first four points and, for all ther efforts, Athleta could not wipe out the gap to go into the interval 29-22 behind.

Luxol raised the tempo after the break and a 13-4 run gave them a commanding 42-26 lead.

Here, Athleta called a time-out and this helped them to share the exchanges but it was Luxol who began the last quarter 47-36 ahead.

Athleta increased their efforts in the last 10 minutes but Luxol were holding firm.

Athleta bridged the gap to just four points, 55-51, but Luxol kept control of their nerves and took advantage of their opponents’ erratic shooting to pull clear in the final stages.

Luxol: S. Pace 9, B. Zammit 9, M. Caruana, I. Baena, S. Tabone, S. DeMartino 20, O. Visser, J. Borg Cardona 4, P. Ellul 4, L. Alston 16, M. Darmanin, C. Curmi.

Athleta: E. Moore 4, L. Pirotta 7, S. Vella, L. Sciberras 4, A. Borg 11, O. Said Hollier 2, A. Simmons 21, R. Sciberras, S.J. Barbara 4, C. Mifsud.

Referees: G. Barbara, T. Helenius, B. Sly.

Playing on Thursday
St James Hospital League play-off final (game two): 19.30 Caffe Moak Luxol vs Athleta.