Hibs ground out another good performance, as their players know each other well, despite the new addition of Kirsten Micallef. They also had Maria Desira as their main threat, with some sterling work in the paint. St. James scraped through against Kerygma, but the Paolites were a different proposition, and the Saints had to bow their heads to a superior outfit.

The champions had Caroline Fenech and young Kirsty Tonna missing, being abroad.

Hibs went out in a determined mood, and promptly put in a 7-0 run, ending with a Dporeen Parnis trey. The Saints tried to get in the game, and recovered a bit midway through the session, but the Paolites dominated once more, late in the quarter, to post an 8-0 run, as Alexis Darmanin helped Parnis, and their side, to break clear in the opening period.

In the second session Hibs grabbed more points, including a Nadia Mifsud trey. St. James finally got their act together, and a 7-0 run, ending with an Adalia Bonanno trtey, made it a 28-15 game. The champions recovered quickly, and their flowing play secured a 9-0 run, with a Kirsten Micallef trey, which brought the interval score to 37-15.

After the break St. James improved. An Annabelle Busuttil trey was soon replied to, as Maria Desira and Darmanin had an adequate reply for the Paolites. The Saints found scoring easier in this session, but Hibs’ Micallef sank her second trey, and after three sessions the champions led 53-27.

The final session was an open one. It was Hibs with the better start, a 9-3 run, with treys by Francesca Tabone and Darmanin. St. James rallied midway through the quarter, and then both teams shared the play, but the scoring died down, as the champions ambled through to a semi final place.

Hibs: 20 Maria Desira, 14 Alexis Darminin, 13 Doreen Parnis, 10 Kirsten Micallef

St. James: 9 Sammy Jo Barbara

Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Jean Paul Sammu

* * *

Kerygma 61

SN Suns JC 32

(14-6)(17-7)(10-13)(20-6)

Kerygma recovered from their single point loss to St. James last week, to hand Suns their second defeat. Kerygma obtained a comfortable advantage in the first part of the match, and although hassled by Suns, they could keep control of the game till the end.

Kerygma included another Gozitan, Carla Vella, besides Cynthia Saliba. Suns had some missing players, such as Petra Zammit, Lilian Cremona and Elvia Granata.

Kerygma took the game in hand from the start, with a good 13-0 lead, and treys by Josette Calleja and Lara Cauchi. When Suns settled down their freeshots, in a long 6-0 run, were only stopped at the end of the session, by a lone Calleja free throw.

In the second quarter Kerygma were once more in command, and a 9-0 run, with another Calleja trey, midway through the period, extended their advantage. Suns managed to hit back, and a Maria Agius trey, right at the end of the session, brought a 31-13 score to Kerygma, at the interval.

After the break a third Calleja trey started the proceedings, but Suns had other ideas. Their free throws began a rewarding quarter, and it was Kerygma who were chasing the points.

Diane Falzon led Suns’ charge, and they had a good ending to the session, despite a fourth Calleja trey, for a 41-26 Kerygma lead.

The final quarter was again in Kerygma’s grip. They suffered the first free shot, but then compiled a 10-3 run. Towards the end of the match a further 8-0 run emphasised their superiority, to land their first seasonal victory.

Kerygma: 23 Josette Calleja, 10 Cynthia Saliba

Suns: 9 Maria Agius

Referees: Stephen Micallef, Clive Terribile

* * *

Luxol 41

Depiro 50

(11-17)(12-11)(10-10)(8-12)

Depiro’s first match of the season was a hard-fought affair against Luxol. Depiro were nearly always in front, and their only deficit lasted for a few seconds.

Luxol were close or just about throughout the match, but Depiro always seemed to have enough in store, to make the game their own.

Justine Mangion returned for Luxol after her suspension from last season, but Mandy Sciortino still has a game to go. Depiro included new signing Renette Debono and upgraded Kelly Busuttil from the junior ranks.

Depiro obtained their first points, mainly through Abigail Sciberras, in the zone. Sarah Pace was also involved, and sank a trey, which had an instant reply from Beverlee Zammit.

Luxol recovered and went to just a point in arrears, but Depiro’s second trey, from Greta Zarb, gave them a better lead.

In the second session, Depiro seemed to be going away from their opponents, opening up their lead to double figures. Luxol changed tactics, and the introduction of Julienne Attard started off a small 6-2 run, towards the end of the session. The Violets went nearer, at 23-28 behind, at the interval.

After the break Luxol opened with a Psaila Savona trey, and this led to a 7-0 run, as they went in front for the first time. Sciberras restored Depiro’s lead, with her points, and Debono’s first points pushed Depiro enough ahead to absorb Bev Zammit’s second trey for Luxol. After three sessions it was 38-33 to Depiro.

A Greta Zarb trey and hoop at the start of the last quarter consolidated Depiro’s lead, and Luxol had an uphill task. Bev Zammit sank her third trey, but Depiro’s Sciberras was dominant under the boards. Her side kept the lead, and Zarb’s third trey killed off the game for Luxol, as they had too much of a leeway to make up.

Luxol: 18 Beverlee Zammit

Depiro: 17 Abigail Sciberras

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Alfred Carbonaro