Depiro 59 Starlites GIG 62
(6-13, 15-11, 14-17, 24-21)
Depiro had managed a victory over Starlites, in the Shield, but now their opponents have registered a league double over them. It was the fourth straight league win for Starlites, as they held their top spot in the standings. Depiro now are on two wins and three defeats. Depiro were without their American, Alexis Lloyd, on bereavement leave, back in the States, after her father's demise. Starlites were without Kim Pirotta and Jaelle Micallef, with youngsters, the two Michelas, Zammit Cordina and Riolo, again roped in.
Starlites went ahead, in the opening session, and stayed there till the last period. They had Patricia Arguello with a brace of late triples, opening up an advantage over their adversaries. In the second session Starlites were romping away, after a 9-0 start, and two more Arguello treys. Depiro finally began to click, and a solid 13-0 run, with a Nicole agius trey, had them back in contention. Starlites were still ahead at the interval, on a 24-21 score.
After the break Depiro were still close, until Starlites came up with a 10-0 run. Depiro recovered, and Steffi DeMartino put in hoops, in a late 9-3 run, as her side went to a better 35-41 score. In the last quarter Depiro went level on points, but Starltes were away in front again. Depiro were on a par once more, and then edged in front, as skipper, Maria Bonett made her hoops. Arguello sank another triple, but DeMartino replied for Depiro, also with a trey. Starlites had Stephanie Davis netting a triple, but Depiro were within a point, late in the game, after a second de Martino triple. Starlites claimed the match with two more free throws, to keep their unbeaten league record intact.
Depiro: M. Scicluna, T. Mifsud 2, C. Camilleri 6, M. Bonett 15, S. DeMartino 17, Ni. Agius 9, No. Agius, J. Xuereb 6, C. Ciantar 2
Starlites: M. Zammit Cordina 2, K. Galea 9, J. Doughty, S. Farrugia, H. Acreman 5, D. Revol, M. Riolo, P. Arguello 31, M. Cutajar 4, S. Davis 8, A. Lupo 3
Referees: B. Vassallo, S. Micallef, Z. Dobrosavljevic
Luxol claim first league victory
Caffe Moak Luxol 57 Hibernians 50
(12-14, 20-11, 13-18, 12-7)
Luxol managed their first league victory, after three defeats, whilst the Paolites were suffering their second loss in a row, after two opening wins. This was also the champions' first win over Hibs, in three matches. Luxol injected some boosters in their side, having acquired the services of last season's Player of the Year, Cristina Grima, and also signing a new American, Maria Brown, now that Monique Caruana is out of circulation again.
It was the Paolites with the better start, and a 7-2 opening run, as Sam Brincat netted a triple. Luxol answered back well, and a 10-0 run, with a Christine Curmi trey, pushed them in front. Hibs reacted till the end of the period, and a 7-0 run, with a Silvia Gambino triple, took them ahead. The second session had the Violets making up a 10-3 run, with more Curmi points, and another triple, as Gambino also sank a trey, for the Paolites. Luxol continued on their way, putting in another 7-0 run, but their lead was cut down, as Hibs went nearer, despite a Sarah Pace triple, for the champions. Brincat also nailed a trey, but it was Luxol 32-25 to the good, at the interval.
After the break Hibs played better, and also overturned the score, even if Grima began to obtain her first points for Luxol. Grima also netted her first Luxol triple, to give her side another advantage. Hibs tied the score, but it was Luxol in front, at 45-42, after three sessions of play. Luxol managed to increase their lead, but the Paolites were back, as Gambino sank her third trey. Luxol held out, with more Grima hoops, and a late Pace triple sealed the match, after a game ending 7-2 run.
Luxol: S. Pace 14, Ni. Vella, I. Baena Medina 4, No. Vella, C. Grima 17, K. Portelli 3, L. Caruana Montaldo, C. Sollami, M. Darmanin, C. Curmi 13
Hibs: E. Micallef, E. Cassar, S. Gambino 16, S. Brincat 8, I. Agius, J. Abela, S. Abela 3, K. Caruana, N. Farrugia, R. Kehoe 12, J. Scerri 11
Referees: E. Mangani, N. Azzopardi, I. Simic