Luxol receiving the trophy as champions for season 2014-15.Luxol receiving the trophy as champions for season 2014-15.

Honey Athleta 51
Caffe Moak Luxol 73

(19-19, 15-10, 10-25, 7-19)

Caffe Moak Luxol kept hold of the women’s league crown after dashing Honey Athleta’s slim hopes by winning the third game and opening an unassailable 3-0 lead in the final play-offs series.

After conceding defeat in the second play-off in midweek, 60-55, Athleta had no other option but to win Sunday’s match to stay in contention.

But the champions had other ideas and with playmaker Sara Pace leading the charge along with captain Steffi DeMartino (voted the most valuable player of the series) they staved off their opponents’ bold challenge.

The first quarter was played on an even keel but Athleta were the better team in the second quarter and with their top scorer Amelia Simmons very much in evidence, they opened a five-point lead at the interval – 34-29.

But after the break Luxol showed more cohesion in their play, taking by surprise Athleta who fell 44-36 behind by the fourth minute.

After a time-out, Athleta improved but this was not enough as Luxol went on to finish the quarter 54-44 ahead.

Athleta doubled their efforts in the final ten minutes but after reducing the gap to 54-48, they lost composure in attack with Luxol profiting from the situation to dominate the rest of the quarter and seal the title.

Athleta: E. Moore 2, L. Pirotta 2, S. Vella, L. Sciberras 4, A. Borg 3, D. Said Hollier 9, A. Simmons 25, R. Sciberras, S.J. Barbara 6, C. Mifsud.

Luxol: S. Pace 23, B. Zammit 5, M. Caruana, I. Baena, S. Tabone, S. DeMartino 26, O. Visser, J. Borg Cardona 4, P. Ellul 4, L. Alston 11, M. Darmanin, C. Curmi.

Referees: B. Vassallo, E. Mangani, B. Sly.

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