Luxol returned to league action after their elimination from the Louis Borg Cup by Hibs. They had a fairly easy victory over Starlites although it couldn’t be termed a vintage performance.
For the second time in the space of a few weeks we had a change of referees in actual play as Brian Sly pulled a leg muscle and made way for Clive Terribile to continue in his stead midway through the last session.
Both teams presented their recent standard formations.
The Violets started with a Mandi Sciortino triple and a 5-0 lead. Starlites emulated them with a 7-2 run and a Charlotte Riolo trey and drew level.
Luxol responded with a three-basket spread to hold a first session advantage although they were not fully focussed. On the other hand Starlites were tussling for every ball against superior opposition.
In the second period Luxol looked a better proposition when they began with a long 10-2 run and Diana Muscat made the necessary hoops to make up for two lost games due to injury among them the Shield final.
Luxol had drawn ahead but Starlites began to settle and two Nicola Said hoops helped to hold Luxol’s lead down until Emma Moore sank a trey for the Violets. At the interval Starlites had fallen 16-27 in arrears.
After the break Luxol took the match in hand and put Starlites on the rack as they rattled in a long 15-2 run and Moore put in her second triple along with more hoops from Steffi De Martino and Muscat.
Starlites recovered in the late stages of the period making a couple of hoops though they were now way behind at 22-42. The last session began on a balanced note before it started to serve as a platform for Luxol especially De Martino to display their skills and tear Starlites’ defence apart.
A 10-2 run was followed by a later 9-0 one which took the Violets to the end of the match and a healthy win.
Luxol: 14 E. Moore, 8 M. Sciortino, 6 B. Naudi, 19 S. De Martino, 4 P. Ellul, 16 D. Muscat, L. Chetcuti, T. De Martino, B. Zammit.
Starlites: 2 A. Farrugia, 5 C. Riolo, 2 A. Grixti, 4 S. Tabone, 4 L. Pisani, C. Spiteri, 4 N. Said, T. Sciortino, 2 N. Attard, MC Cilia, C. Scicluna, 7 M. Cutajar.
Referees: Stephen Micallef, Brian Sly (Clive Terribile).
Hibs Medsea 46
McDonalds Depiro 42
(12-11)(17-16)(4-7)(13-8)
the space of four days.
After their victory over Luxol in the Louis Borg Cup semi final they also won against Depiro to hold on to their unbeaten league record and also avenge their Shield semi-final elimination.
It was a close match throughout with both sides capable of winning the encounter but it was the Paolites who clinched it in the end as they netted the necessary last free throws.
The champions were without Alexis Darmanin and Lucienne Bezzina made a reappearance after a fairly long layoff but stayed on the bench for the duration of the game.
Depiro had Justine Xuereb back and Charmaine Tanti making way.
Hibs were on two early leads making their free shots but Depiro had Antoinette bBrg on a personal 7-0 run including a triple for a 9-3 lead.
The Paolites rallied and some direct play gave them a 9-2 run with some Joselle Cardona hoops and a slim single point advantage at the end of the period. Depiro recovered at the start of the second session when they obtained an 8-0 run with Borg accurate in her shooting.
Depiro’s lead didn’t last long as the champions made up a 7-0 run beginning with a Kirsten Micallef triple to level the score at 19-19. Depiro replied with free throws but the Paolites held out as Micallef netted her second trey in spite of Kaila Agius’ last two hoops. At the interval Hibs were still on a slight 29-27 score.
After the break the points were suddenly very hard to come by especially on the champions’ side. Depiro had to tie the score twice before finally going in front late in the session with only a handful of points between the two teams. Depiro were relying on just two players for their points Agius and Borg.
Hibs pulled a basket back just before the period ended but were a point behind at 33-34. In the final quarter the Paolites managed to extend their lead after going in front. A 6-0 run had Kirsten Micallef with a third trey and a 39-34 advantage.
Agius then netted a personal 6-0 run to overturn the score but then it was free throws at both ends. Though they were a point in arrears Hibs had the better staying power.
They stayed calm netted their free shots and closed down their zone to signal their victory and preserve their top position in yet an unbeaten league sequence.
Hibs: E. Micallef, 2 E. Cassar, D. Cassar, L. Bezzina, F. Tabone, 5 M. Desira, 9 D. Micallef, 2 N. Arrigo, 15 K. Micallef, 13 J. Cardona.
Depiro: 1 S. Pace, G. Zarb, J. Xuereb, A. Mifsud, 1 K. Busuttil, A. Demanuele, J. Busuttil Gaerty, 18 A. Borg, C. Sammut, E. Vella, S. Micallef, 22 K. Agius.
Referees: Alfred Carbonaro, Clive Terribile.
St Andrews 43
Allcare Insurance Loyola 49
(12-16)(10-8)(10-13)(11-12)
Loyola had the better of St Andrews for the second time this season but only after a late surge which turned the score around. The Saints had opened up well in the last period after Loyola held advantage for most of the game but the Saints twice were in front after the break but had to bow to a Loyola victory.
The Saints had Josette Calleja and Emma Grech missing with Nathalie Scicluna included again in the side. Denise Said Hollier is still injured for Loyola.
Loyola went in front on three occasions at the start as Abigail Sciberras netted twice.
St Andrews replied on every occasion but Loyola next put in an 8-2 run as Kirsty Tonna made three hoops in a row. Tansin Pace Decesare sank a triple for the Saints but it was Loyola still in front with late Sammy Jo Barbara hoops.
In the second period both sides took time to make their points. The Saints managed to level at 18-18 but Loyola forged forward again and they pulled a couple of baskets back they were still in arrears on a slim 22-24 score at the interval.
After the break, St Andrews surged forward and a couple of hoops from Elaine Cutajar put them ahead. Loyola found their touch once more as Ruth Spiteri and Kathleen Gouder made their hoops in an 8-2 run. Ilona Galea replied for the Saints but it was again Gouder who helped her side to a 37-32 advantage after three sessions of play.
The Saints started well in the final session and made up a 9-0 run with points from Cutajar and Nadia Cassar as they grabbed a three-point lead.
Loyola’s reaction took them on a 9-2 run when Adalia Bonanno worked well under the boards.
It was enough for Loyola to obtain their win and keep away from the nether regions of the standings.
St Andrews: 3 T. Pace Decesare, 13 N. Cassar, R. De Martino, N. Scicluna, 4 I. Galea, 2 A. Agius, 10 E. Cutajar, 5 J. Mangion, 6 M. De Martino.
Loyola: G. Torpiano, 8 K. Tonna, 2 J. Doughty, 2 F. Schembri ,11 A. Bonanno, 6 R. Spiteri, P. Montanaro, N. Baginskaya, 4 A. Sciberras, M. Gatt, 8 SJ Barbara, 8 K. Gouder.
Referees: Jennifer Mangani, Brian Sly.