Muharraq champions of the Bahrain women's

Muharraq yesterday (WEDNESDAY) were crowned champions of the Bahrain Women's Games Basketball Championship. In the final match, staged at the Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation gym at Shaikh Isa Sports City in Riffa, Muharraq put on a superb show to outplay arch rivals Manama 90-71 and clinch the title. Earlier yesterday, Al Hidd bagged third place award with a 45-25 victory over Al Najma in the consolation match. Bahrain Olympic Committee member and Women's Sports Committee chairwomen Shaikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa patronised the final and honoured the winners at the awarding ceremony. Supreme Council for Women's assistant general secretary Dhawiya Sharaf Al Alawi presented the silver medals to Manama, while Al Hidd received the bronze medals from Bahrain Basketball Association board member Ali Al Khaja. It was the second win for Muharraq over their opponents, whom they beat 75-55 in the first round. But despite having history and morale advantage, Muharraq were indeed the stronger of the two sides with some unstoppable teamwork and outstanding individual skills. Muharraq's coach Salah Mousa started this four-quarter tie with his full force, including Layla Mohammed, Abeer Al Khaja, Fatma Mohammed, Maryam Mohammed and Fatma Abdulreda. The team in red jerseys was in top form, showing some decent defensive skills while capitalizing on most of their counter attacks, as they claimed an eight-point lead of 20-12 in the 10-minute first quarter. Things got event better for Muharraq, who extended their authority in the second quarter, which ended in their favour 46-29. After a 10-minute half-time break, Manama's coach Fadel Milad headed into the third quarter hoping to put his side into the game while relying on his key players Reem Al Sha'alan, Hessa Ahmed, Fatma Abdulelah and Fatma Fareed. However, it was Muharraq who had the final laughs as they went further ahead 77-45 at the end of the quarter. Manama's best moments came in the fourth and final quarter, where they scored 23 points against Muharraq's 13. Both teams dominated their early matches in the tournament on the way to the final. Muharraq topped the first round with a 100 per cent win record, beating Al Ahli, Al Najma, Al Hidd and Manama, who came second. In the semi-finals, Muharraq eased past Al Najma 81-30 to book their berth in the title decider against Manama. Manama, who headed into the tournament as the second favourite team, won three of their four matches in the first round against Al Ahli, Al Hidd and Al Najma, before going down to Muharraq in the top-of-the-stage clash. They then faced a challenging Al Hidd in the semi-finals, but Manama girls proved too strong as they registered a 66-64 win to set up the final clash. Meanwhile, the table tennis tournament gets underway today (THURSDAY) at the Bahrain Table Tennis Association premises in Riffa where six tables have been prepared to host the action. Commencing at 5pm, the four-day event will see 15 players in the fray. Leading the participants is GCC champion Maryam Al Qasmi, besides national team prominent players Kaltham Elyasi, Fatma Al Hiki, Fatma Al Qasmi and Nadine Adel, and a group of young table tennis talents selected through Zain Bahrain Talents Identification Programme.