Depiro Mtarfa 71
Floriana 55
(24-10, 12-14, 14-17, 21-14)

Depiro continued where they left off in their previous match against Luxol to record a second victory that shot them to first place in the group. Floriana, in their first competitive match after gaining promotion to the top flight, had a difficult start and could not match Depiro’s more fluent play.

Depiro captain Roderick Vella led his team’s charge but gradually Floriana came more into the picture though their shots from the distance were falling mostly off-target.

The second quarter was more balanced as Depiro lowered their guard. They were also guilty of erratic shooting but still changed ends 36-24 in front.

Depiro continued to misfire after the interval. Floriana took advantage and seven consecutive points saw them reduce the gap to 48-39.

Depiro stopped the rot but the Greens continued to hit back and with six minutes left they were seven points behind, 54-47.

Here, Depiro coach Ray Muscat was forced to call for a time-out. He had to effect some changes to steady the ship and lift his team’s morale.

The new men on court did the trick for Depiro as they recovered some lost ground with Floriana’s last frantic attempts proving futile.

Depiro: R. Vella 11, J.P. Schembri 4, A. Portelli 10, A. Aquilina 13, D. Agius, E. Lupo 17, M. Mallia 4, I. Tanti 12.

Floriana: N. Mercieca, C, Sammut 22, I. Mercieca 6, S. Sammut 13, R. Polis 3, J. Curmi, A. Sultana 5, M. Ciantar 6.

Referees: B. Vassallo, E. Mangani, C. Terribile.

Siġġiewi 71
Loyola 48
(14-9, 15-8, 27-13, 15-18)

Siġġiewi joined Depiro in the semi-finals after beating Loyola who were making their first official showing of the season.

Siġġiewi had Jide Jetson and Clement Kodomaris missing but Loyola, who fielded an almost unchanged team from last season, only managed to sustain their good play until the interval.

There was a low-key start to this match as Siġġiewi only managed a five-point advantage at the end of the opening quarter.

The rhythm did not change much as the minutes ticked away with Loyola aggressive in defence and Siġġiewi going in for the break 12 points in front, 29-17.

But, Loyola found the going though as the third quarter got underway. Most of their effective play was lost and Siġġiewi relied on Shoults and Camilleri to finally distance themselves from their opponents – 56-30.

Loyola were left with no options but to try their luck with points from outside the arc but the ploy did not work as Siġġiewi administered their lead to secure a berth in the semi-finals.

Siġġiewi: R. Agius 2, L. Camilleri 8, P. Shoults 14, E. Xuereb 6, N. Sultana 3, A. Borg 6, C. Maier 12, M. Matijevic 20.

Loyola: S. Pace 4, B. Zammit 6, D. Camilleri 17, C. Cassar 2, S. Borg, L. Azzopardi, S. Vella 1, A. Axiaq 7, J. Mihailovic 7, J. Anastasi 2, J. Ransley 2.

Referees: G. Barbara, A. Carbonaro, L. Camilleri.

Women’s Shield

As expected, Loyola beat newcomers Qormi 57-19 to book a place in the semi-finals.

Loyola potted the first eight points of the match and continued to dictate matters to change ends 29-9 ahead.

The third quarter saw Loyola stretch their lead to 46-9, after which they slowed the pace with victory already in their bags.