Hamrun Go Mobile 68
Pembroke 77
(16-14, 13-22, 21-19, 18-22)

Pembroke are the sole leaders in the Kinnie League standings after again having the better of Hamrun in a match that offered entertainment for those present.

Hamrun looked set to launch a strong challenge but their substitutions did not help much as Pembroke profited in the second session to open a good enough lead which they maintained till the final whistle.

Again, Michael Naudi was Pembroke's inspiration. He potted 32 points, some of which came even when he was clearly not fully fit in the fourth quarter. Hamrun could still not stop him.

The exchanges were shared in the first 10 minutes but then Pembroke hit their best form to hold a 35-18 lead. Hamrun regrouped forces midway through to reduce the gap till half-time to 36-29.

It was in the closing stages of the third period that Hamrun started a recovery which came to a halt when play was stopped in the fourth session after a Duncan Cuschieri foul. Pembroke said the infringement never occurred but when the match resumed Hamrun had lost their rhythm and Steve Gatt fumbled his two free-throws that would have levelled the score. Pembroke took a deep sigh of relief and went on to secure the points in the remaining minutes.

Hamrun: S. Pace 18, K. Borg 8, D. Camilleri, A. Spiteri 8, A. Borg 5, A. Portelli 8, O. Said 14, J. Jetsen 6, P. Ferrante, I. Terrible, K. Farrugia, S. Gouder 1.

Pembroke: M. Naudi 32, J. Naudi 11, M. Zammit 13, E. Bezzina 7, J. Galea, L. Fenech, D. Cuschieri 12, M. Pisani 2, J. Ransley, D. Ross.

Refs: S. Micallef, G. Barbara.

Footwork 58
Depiro 53
(15-16, 14-9, 15-12, 14-16)

Footwork obtained their first win in the Kinnie League after handing Depiro their second consecutive upset.

Indeed, this was a strange match. When one team looked in control up came their opponents' immediate reply to put the issue again wide open.

Depiro felt the absence of Jean Paul Azzopardi and pivot Mark Ciantar. They opened with a 9-1 lead but Footwork soon improved their game and forged ahead in the opening minutes of the second quarter 19-18. At half-time Ray Muscat's team led 29-25.

But Depiro came back strongly after the break going 37-29 in front. Footwork looked as if they had run out of energy but suddenly they regained composure. They potted a series of points without reply and were leading 44-37 before the last 10 minutes got underway.

Depiro's reaction was confused. Footwork held on for a deserved win.

Footwork: L. Camilleri 5, I. Mercieca 2, C. Sammut 26, M. Barberi 8, J.P. Bonnici, A. Bonnici 8, R. Loporto, A. Huizer 9, E. Xuereb.

Depiro: R. Vella 12, M. Sammut, P. Schultz 12, C. Agius 8, J. Vella 2, E. Lupo 8, M. Mallia, D. Agius 11, C. Busuttil.

Refs: B. Vassallo, J.P. Sammut.

Siggiewi Smina 50
Bupa Luxol 106
(14-26, 12-22, 11-25, 13-33)

A full-strength Luxol easily disposed of struggling Siggiewi. With playmaker Marco Pisani again missing, Siggiewi kept in touch for most of the first session but Luxol then extended their lead in the last five minutes of the second quarter to change ends 48-26 ahead.

With shooter Robert Azzopardi back in their ranks, Luxol dominated the last two sessions to coast home to the first 100+ points victory of the season.

Siggiewi: D. Bugeja, J. Doughty 2, H. Agius 13, R. Mifsud 4, N. Borg, J. Gatt 17, A. Farrugia, C. Griscti 7, M. Farrugia 7.

Luxol: A. Cremona 6, M. Mercieca 22, R. Azzopardi 13, M. Micallef 2, B. Micallef Trigona 4, M. Bonnici 9, R. Dalli 3, A. Bianchi 7, E. Caruana Montaldo, S. Cassar 12, S. Schembri 28.

Refs: C. Farrugia, S. Micallef.

Standings: Pembroke 8; Ham-run 7; Luxol, Depiro 6; Footwork 5; Siggiewi 4.

Top scorers: M. Naudi (Pembroke) 118; C. Sammut (Footwork) 90; S. Schembri (Luxol) 83; O. Said (Hamrun) 80; P. Schultz (Depiro) 79.

Playing today: Louis Borg Cup (prel. round - first legs) 6.15 p.m. Depiro vs Footwork; 7.45 p.m. Pembroke vs Hamrun.

Tomorrow: (second legs) 2.30 p.m. Footwork vs Depiro, 4.30 p.m. Hamrun vs Pembroke.