Luxol: S. Pace 21, C. Borg Millo, I. Baena Medina 7, N. Vella 1, A. Plummer 6, K. Portelli, V. Mateos, P. Ellul 7, C. Sollami, M. Darmanin 4, C. Curmi 10

Athleta: M. Pollacco, B. Zammit 9, S. Pisani, L. Duncan 7, A. Simmons 29, D. Said Hollier 2, A. Borg 4, J. Schembri, S. Vella 6, E. Pace, C. Mifsud 7

Referees: B. Vassallo, E. Mangani, I. Simic

 

Athleta stopped Luxol's firm grip on this competition, and won it for the third time, also avenging their loss to the Violets last season in this Super Cup.

The Luxol lasses had a good record, winning the initial honour in 1991, and then taking a good grip these last years, winning the last six consecutive editions, making it eight wins in all, out of 12 finals.

Athleta had emerged victorious twice in the nineties, and then were losing finalists twice more, later on. They featured in last season's defeat by the same Luxol. The club with the most wins is Hibernians, with nine successes.

Back to the game, which was close all the way, after an initial good Luxol start. American Amelia Simmons, with another season for Athleta under her belt, was the player of the match, helping her side to overcome their opponents, who have lost the strength of Steffi DeMartino, now in new pastures, at Depiro.

The new Luxol American is Ashanti Plummer, yet to find her new bearings, and German coach, Christoff Stolp, returned to his former love. 

Luxol's new captain is now Sarah Pace, after the retirement of  Mandi Mercieca.  She worked tirelessly, but still finished up on the losing side.

Athleta also had a major face missing - Christina Grima - who seems to be having a sabbatical, and has yet to feature in the Athleta side.

The champions had a bright start, as Paula Ellul and Sarah Pace sank triples, along with a brace of hoops from Christina Curmi, to establish a 10-2 advantage.

Athleta gradually got back in the match, as Simmons opened her account, and Beverlee Zammit netted her first trey. Plummer also made her first points for the champions, but Athleta managed to tie the score, before the end of the opening session, as skipper Leanne Duncan, with a changed surname after her marriage, last month - formerly Sciberras - grabbed a triple. 

In the next session, Zammit thrust Athleta in their first lead, with her second trey. Luxol were back, and Pace's series of free throws had them regaining their advantage, which didn't last long, as Athleta managed a three point lead.

More Pace free shots had Luxol on a tie, but Sharon Vella opened her personal score, with a couple of free throws, with Athleta going in at the interval on a slight advantage, at 28-26.

 

After the break, Simmons kept Athleta in front with her points, but a second Pace triple again tied the score for Luxol. Athleta bounced back on a better advantage but a 7-0 Luxol run, ending with another Pace trey, overturned the score.

Simmons also netted an Athleta triple but Ina Baena Medina points, with a trey, established another Luxol lead.

It was then Athleta's turn for a 7-0 run, with a third Zammit trey but two late Luxol hoops had them leading 50-49 going into the last session.

Athleta went back ahead and this time they didn't relinquish their advantage, with Luxol hot on their heels for the remainder of the encounter.

It was Simmons with the bulk of the Athleta points, as they held their noses in front. It was then left to Antoinette Borg to apply the finishing touches, with her late points to deny the champions a seventh consecutive success.

    After the match it was the St. James Hospital CEO, Maria Bugeja, who made the presentation to the Athleta skipper, Leanne Duncan, as they started off the new season with the first honour.