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12/12/2006 Paola Hibs Candy sole leaders in the ladies league
In the men's league, Marsascala met Aloysians White in what should have been just a formality for Marsascala but ended up in being a highly competitive match, with Aloysians White in no mood to give Marsascala the three points easily.
Last weekend also saw last year's champions, Paola Hibs Candy meet Playvolley Blue in a top of the league clash. The match was won by Hibs Candy who beat Playvolley in three straight sets who are now are sole leaders of the women's league. XSel and Flyers also registered important wins against Playvolley White and Kerygma.
In a match that lasted just over 80 minutes, Hibs Candy brushed off the opposition offered by Alan Gauci's team in three straight sets. This match saw the return of veteran players Sandra Bonnici and Nadia Lanzon for Playvolley. The return of these players guaranteed high expectations for this match. Both teams started off well and through the more experienced Hibs players, the Paolites managed to close the set at 25-16. Hibs kept up the rhythm in the second set and, with a number of blocks from Carmen Gauci and excellent defensive work by Delicia Farrugia won the set 25-17. The third set saw Playvolley pick up momentum and gave Hibs Candy a harder time, with excellent covering by Dorianne Bonnici and a number of well placed attacks by Sandra Bonnici.
However, in the second half of the set, Hibs Candy stepped up a gear with good performances by Gertrude Zarb and Tiziana Bonnici and dismissed Playvolley Blue 25-17.
In other games played this weekend, Flyers beat Kerygma 3-1 and XSel, who had Catherine Attard back beat Playvolley whites 3-0.
In the men's league, Marsascala met Aloysians White. Marsascala started the first set with their 2nd setter Carlos Dalli. They had no problem in controlling the attacks of Aloysians. On the other hand Aloysians did a lot of reception faults and they did not produce any efficient attacks. Soon the score was 10-2 in favour of Aloysians. The point's difference was increased to 10 points at the 2nd technical timeout and extended to 18-6 lead just after the timeout. Marsascala ended the set 25-13 with some good attacks from Michael Magro and Aristar Borg.
At the start of the 2nd set Marsascala looked more relaxed and confident that they have the match in their control. Coach Darren Giordimania decided to start the set without Michael Magro. On the other hand the Aloysians coach opted to start the set with Luca Randazzo and A. Spiteri. Aloysians took the initiative and started the set with a good lead of 6-2. Marsascala were seemed to be distracted and were always trailing behind. At the 2nd timeout the score was 16-12 for Aloysians. Marsascala coach replaced setter Dalli with their first choice setter Keith Mercieca. This change proved to work but it arrived too late in the set and Aloysians maintained a four point lead and closed the set at 25-21.
Marsascala started the 3rd set with their full team. They took the lead immediately and soon were 8-2 in advantage. Aloysians could not stop the attacks mainly from Michael Magro and Aristar Borg. Aloysians coach made use of the two timeouts available to try to get them back on track but it was too late. Marsascala were leading 19-13 and the set ended 25-14.
With Marsascala leading 2 sets to 1 it seemed that the game was over. Marsascala decided to give chance to players that normally sit on the bench. This, at first, proved to be a good solution because Marsascala soon were leading 10-4. Marsascala increased the gap to 10 points at 20-10 and the game seemed to be coming to an end. However, Aloysians White made an impressive recovery by defending and utilizing every imaginable ball and won the set 25-23.
Aloysians boys were overwhelmed by this success. However, their joy didn't last too long as Marsascala were in no mood of losing precious points and won the fifth and final set 15-5 in just 11 minutes.
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