Willie Vassallo

 

Caffe Moak Luxol      47

Depiro 51

(12-18, 12-11, 12-8, 11-14)

 

It certainly isn't a good start to their league title defence as Luxol slumped to their third straight defeat.

They are without a foreigner and Paula Ellul went to a year's stay in Australia just a few hours after the match ended and she took no part.

Depiro started the game better with a win in two matches and they improved on their positive side. They had to stick to their task to obtain their victory and they were also trailing after the interval but they had it right at the end to pay back for the two Louis Borg Cup losses they had suffered against the same champions.

Depiro made the brighter start with an 11-2 lead and Alexis Lloyd points. Ina Baena Medina put in her points for Luxol also with a triple but Steffi deMartino sank a Depiro trey as well. Sarah Pace netted a Luxol triple but Depiro were still in front at the end of the period.

The next session had Luxol unable to gain ground. DeMartino sank another Depiro trey but Luxol reacted with a brace of Kay Portelli triples. Lloyd netted two hoops in between and Depiro were leading 29-24 at the interval.

After the break Luxol overturned the score with Pace points and two triples. Depiro regained their advantage only to lose it again to a couple of Christina Curmi hoops.

Late in the session, Depiro were ahead once more with two more hoops for a slim 37-36 score.

In the last quarter, Luxol drew ahead with another Medina triple but Depiro struck back boldly making up a 10-0 run with Lloyd and Nicole Agius hoops.

Luxol came closer as Curmi netted her triple but two Agius free shots closed down the match in Depiro's favour.

Luxol: S. Pace 13, M. Caruana,  N. Vella, I. Baena Medina 10, No. Vella 2, K. Portelli 6, C. Sollami, M. Darmanin 3, C. Curmi 13  

Depiro:  M. Micallef, T. Mifsud, C. Camilleri, M. Bonett 4, S. DeMartino 13, N. Agius 8, No. Agius, A. Lloyd 14, J. Xuereb, L. Camilleri, C. Ciantar 12 

Referees: N. Azzopardi, B. Sly, I. Marjanovic

 

Athleta return to winning form

Hibernians       47

Gzira Athleta  62

(12-16, 17-13, 8-21, 10-12)

Hibs had beaten Athleta twice in the Louis Borg Cup the last time they met but this time the Athleta lasses made sure after the break denying their opponents any late surges to overturn the score.

This result leaves both sides with a league win and loss apiece. The only notable absentee was Beverlee Zammit on Athleta's side as she was abroad.

Elena Cassar opened up for the Paolites with her points and a trey as Antoinette Borg also netted an Athleta triple.

Athleta went on to eke out an advantage with Hibs just behind them as Sam Brincat sank her opening triple.. Borg netted a second trey to ease Athleta further in front.

In the second period, the Paolites went closer but then they were hit by an Athleta 10-0 run. The Paolites recovered well and made up a steady 11-2 run as Brincat netted another trey. She also managed a third triple just before the interval to tie the score at 29-29.

After the break, Hibs lost their composure and this enabled Athleta to recover Amelia Simmons who sat out most of the previous period with foul trouble. From a mere point advantage Athleta produced a stifling 16-2 run as Borg sank another triple and Simmons points added on to Athleta's advantage as they shot away to a 50-37 lead. In the last session, Athleta ascertained themselves of victory as Simmons kept on with her point grabbing. Brincat sank two more Paolite triples but her side was too far behind to make any impression and Athleta could coast home to their victory.

Hibs: E. Micallef 2, E. Cassar 13, S. Gambino, S. Brincat 22, I. Agius, J. Abela, S. Abela 2, K. Caruana, N. Farrugia, R. Kehoe 2, K. Calleja, J. Scerri 6

Athleta: N. Borg S. Pisani, L. Duncan 11, A. Simmons 26, D. Said Hollier 3, A. Borg 17,  J. Schembri, S. Vella, E. Pace, C. Mifsud 5

Referees: G. Barbara, I. Marjanovic, K. Dworniczak