McDonalds Depiro 63

Medsea Hibs 48

(18-7)(7-22)(16-9)(22-10)

The champions are developing a phobia against Depiro in this last part of the season. Depiro made sure of the second place in the final with this victory, but more than that, they are establishing a superior attitude against the Paolites, who could only assert their command in the second session, but were on the receiving end in the other three quarters.

Depiro meant business from the start, as they pressed and harrassed the champions into mistakes.

Depiro began with an 8-2 run, but when this was stopped by a Joselle Cardona hoop, Depiro went right back, and slammed Hibs with a further 10-0 run, and treys by Sarah Pace and Greta Zarb. Doreen Micallef stopped her adversaries with her points, but Depiro still held a double figure advantage.

Pace sank a couple of hoops for Depiro at teh start of the second quarter, but the champions displayed better fare, and some forceful play gave them a solid 16-1 run, as they went on to ite the score, at 23-23.

Although Svetlana Micallef gave Depiro the lead back, Hibs went on to take a 29-25 advantage at the interval.

After the break Depiro were in command once more, as they powered their way to a 14-2 opening run, and a second Zarb triple.

Kirsten Micallef sank a trey for the champions, to stop the run, as the Paolites mustered a 7-0 run. Pace’s two free shots, with less than a second to go, gave Depiro a 41-38 lead.

In the last period Depiro were still adamant, and an 8-3 run, with a third Zarb triple, opened up their advantage.

The champions had Maria Desira with her penetrations and hoops, but Depiro had established a good lead, and Hibs slumped to another defeat against their rivals.

Depiro now relish the coming play-off finals, against a side they have beaten in their last three encounters, after losing out in the previous five matches.

Depiro: 17 Sarah Pace, 13 Greta Zarb, 13 Svetlana Micallef, 11 Kaila Agius

Hibs: 13 Maria Desira, 9 Doreen Micallef

Referees: Gordon Barbara, Alfred Carbonaro