Willie Vassallo
Caffe Moak Luxol 53
Gzira Athleta 47
(10-14, 14-7, 13-14, 16-12)
The champions not only took their place in the first semi final with their victory over Athleta but also made amends for their defeat in the Super Cup.
A late spurt and a series of free shots had Luxol claiming their win handing Athleta their first loss of the season. Athleta recovered Leanne Duncan and Nicole Hili was donning their colours for the first time but had Beverlee Zammit being the one just on the bench. Marie Pollacco was also missing.
Christine Curmi netted Luxol's opening points with Athleta replying with a three basket spread. It was then Ashanti Plummer with next points for the champions as they regained their advantage. Athleta then netted without reply till the end of the session making up an 8-0 run.
In the next session Luxol went nearer but Denise said Hollier sank an Athleta triple. Luxol were the better side till the end of the period as they put in a long 11-2 run taking them to a 24-21 interval score.
After the break, Athleta twice went nearer but the Violets' next points opened up their lead once more. Amelia Simmons had Athleta drawing nearer but Luxol always managed to creep further in front. A late push had Athleta going to within a hoop at 35-37.
In the last session, the champions held on to their small advantage with Sarah Pace points but Athleta were never that far away led by Simmons. A three hoop spread had Athleta on a tie late in the match but Luxol eked out another advantage as their free shots found their mark and Athleta had time run out on them.
Luxol: S. Pace 11, C. Borg Millo, I. Baena Medina 8, N. Vella , A. Plummer 12, K. Portelli 5, V. Mateos, P. Ellul , C. Sollami, M. Darmanin 4, C. Curmi 13
Athleta: N. Hili, S. Pisani, L. Duncan 4, A. Simmons 17, D. Said Hollier 9, A. Borg 8, J. Schembri 2, S. Vella 7, E. Pace, C. Mifsud
Referees: B. Sly, Z. Dobrosavljevic, I. Marjanovic
Depiro 60
Starlites GIG 50
(22-5, 10-16, 10-11, 18-18)
The winners of this match were still in the competition but the losers were going out. Depiro managed to remain in the hunt thanks to a solid start which had Starlites simply failing to get started.
The damage was done and Starlites could only chase after their adversaries in the vain hope of overtaking them which they definitely did not.
Depiro had a new foreigner - the German Tina Maciej - who needs a lot of grooming to make an impact. Mariah Micallef was missing for Depiro. Starlites were without Jaelle Micallef with the French woman Diane Revlon taking her place although she remained on the bench.
Skipper Maria Bonett obtained Depiro's opening points before being stopped with a couple of Patricia Arguello free throws for Starlites. Depiro then dominated as they made up a long 8-2 run consistin wholly of free shots. Late in the session depiro managed another 8-0 run this time with a poker of hoops.
In the next session Steffi deMartino continued with her points from the first period as she also netted a trey. So did Arguello for Starlites and her side went on to put in a 10-0 run for a better score. Depiro stopped them abruptly with Tina Mifsud and DeMartino triples with Kirsty Galea grabbing a last second trey for Starlites. At the interval, Depiro were 32-21 in front.
After the break, Depiro sank a trio of hoops but Starlites' reply was a 7-0 run with a Jean Doughty triple. Both sides managed a couple of hoops each with Depiro holding on to 42-32 advantage.
In the last period, the scoring was on the rise at either end. It was DeMartino and Nicole Agius to hike up the points for Depiro whilst Starlites ahd Galea Doughty and Galea once more netting their triples.
Depiro still held a good enough lead depriving Starlites from getting any nearer to register their victory and ease Starlites out of the competition.
Depiro: A. Mifsud 3, T. Mifsud 7, L. Vella, C. Camilleri, M. Bonett 8, S. DeMartino 29, N. Agius 9, No. Agius, J. Xuereb , T. Maciej, C. Ciantar 4
Starlites: D. Agius , K. Galea 15, J. Doughty 10, S. Farrugia 2, H. Acreman, K. Pirotta , D. Revol , E. Magrin , P. Arguello 13, M. Cutajar 2, S. Davis 2, A. Lupo 6
Referees: G. Barbara. S. Micallef, J. Cole