Fleur de Lys Office Group have taken an early lead in the men’s Super League after beating Attard Tenovar in straight sets as Aloysians Defenders struggled to beat Mġarr 3-2 in another match. FDL extended their perfect start to build a three-point lead over closest rivals Valletta and Attard who have lost a game each.

The FDL-Attard match had a balanced start with the former team preserving a two-point advantage until Attard hit back to take the lead with a couple of lucky services and some good blocking by veteran Felice Pace.  The set dragged into a tie-break at 24-24 but Italian Valerio Savio, instrumental in his team’s overall performance, saw FDL through to win 27-25.  FDL were the better team in the second and third sets but they committed far too many unforced errors, allowing Attard to stay in the game. Attard, however, were erratic as well and FDL emerged rightful winners, taking both sets by a minimal two points.

Aloysians seem to have lost their early-season momentum that helped them win the Super Cup as Mġarr continue to improve.  In the end, it was due to lack of experience that the latter didn’t take something from the match.  The game was a roller-coaster ride with both teams fighting hard to win. Mġarr stunned Defenders in the first set but the latter fought back to win the second.

The narrow 23-25 scoreline encouraged Mġarr to show more determination in the third and they went 2-1 up with a convincing 25-17 win. Trailing to a team that has less experience, Aloysians pulled up their socks and again drew level, before going on to win the game 3-2.

Women’s league

This was the first league clash between Paola Hibs Candy and Fleur De Lys Office Group but the two teams have already met on two occasions this year, the Paolites emerging victorious twice in the pre-season John Bugeja Cup.  FDL’s good services, strong attacks and defensive work saw them storm into an 18-8 lead.  However, Hibs had other ideas as a series of good services saw them claw back into the game.

Slowly but surely, their confidence grew and Hibs started to dictate matters, winning the set with a two-point difference.  Hibs now started to combine well in attack and went on to clinch the three sets (26-24, 25-16, 25-15) and open a one-point gap at the top of the table.

Other results

Women’s second division: Qormi vs TGIF 3-1; Mġarr vs Phoenix Melita Unipol 1-3.