Hibernians 75 Caffe Moak Luxol 49
(14-9, 21-6, 21-15, 19-19)
Luxol were coming on the back of two victories, but they were no match for the champions, who dominated from the second period onwards, and made the game safe, well before the end. When Luxol finally produced a good finish, it was just to make up a more respectable score, as the Paolites were far ahead, and untouchable. Hibs' victory ensured that they would still share top spot, with Starlites, whilst Luxol lost ground to the top two sides. Luxol recovered Martina Darmanin, here on holidays, from abroad, but they missed the presence of their Spaniard, Ina Baena, who was work-tied, abroad, and who was in good form, these last two matches. HIbs were in the hands of Caroline Schiavone, with their new coach, Tony Camilleri, being abroad.
The champions started with a couple of treys, from Elena Cassar and Emma Micallef. Luxol went nearer, with Sarah pace hoops, and a Monique caruana triple put them closer still, with American, Amelia Simmons, extending Hibs' advantage, with two late hoops. The second session was Luxol's downfall. They succumbed to their opponents' insistence, as the champions made up a strong 17-2 run, with a Sam Brincat trey, and hopped away from their adversaries. Luxol responded. Late in the session, with two hoops, but Hibs found time to sink some more points, and led comfortably, at the interval, on a 35-15 advantage.
After the break Hibs were still peppering Luxol's basket, with another early, 7-0 run. Antoinette Borg stopped them, with her Luxol trey, but Micallef reacted for Hibs, with another trey Pace and Borg sank further Luxol triples, but the Paolites were also making their points. At the end of the session the champions held a 56-30 advantage. The last quarter was evenly shared, in points, with Hibs piling up more pressure, in the early part, and Luxol, gaining more confidence, as the Paolites' bench players made their way on court, with the result in no doubt. Brincat netted a Hibs triple, and Luxol managed to end the match on a 10-3 run, for a somewhat better scoreline.
Hibs: E. Micallef 10, E. Cassar 11, K. Calleja, K. Calleja, S. Brincat 10, I. Agius 2, J. Abela, S. Abela 9, A. Simmons 18, N. Farrugia 2, H. Al Tumi 4, K. Caruana 2, L. Duncan 7
Luxol: S. Pace 14, M. Caruana 6, Ni. Vella 2, K. Portelli 1, A. Borg 8, A. Dillard 16, L. Caruana Montaldo, M. Darmanin 2, C. Mifsud
Referees: K. Dworniczak, D. Torok, M. hraisha
Starlites GIG 57 Depiro 51
(17-14, 9-11, 12-10, 19-16)
This time Depiro were very close to their first league victory, but they lost out at the end, as Starlites struck in the closing stages, and a spate of free shots took them in front, and away from their opponents. Depiro's Mifsud sisters, Gaby and Andrea, suffered the same fate, in the last quarter, committing two major fouls, and being ejected from the match, when Depiro seemed to have achieved their goal. Both sides were coming from defeats, with Starlites recovering, to hold on to a shared top spot in the standings. Hungarian, Fanni Fabok, was in the Starlites' side, in lieu of Christine Curmi, and Claudia Camilleri took her place, in the Depiro team, with the absence of Nicole Agius.
Depiro's first hoops found an answer from their adversaries, with Starlites forging in front with the Spaniard, Patricia Arguello, triple. Steffi DeMartino produced a trey and a hoop, to overturn the score, but Arguello sank another triple. American, Ashley Gray, took Depiro level, with a three-point play, but Arguello again had Starlites in front. In the second period it was Depiro making progress, with a 7-0 run, from Gaby Mifsud and Gray. Up popped Starlites, with their treys, as Arguello netted another brace, with Joey Grima making hers, in between. At the interval Starlites were just ahead, at 26-25.
After the break Depiro again forged in front, with more Gray points. Starlites were just behind them, through Arguello, but De Martino sank a second trey, but her side's advantage was wiped off, as Starlites ended the session with an 8-0 run, to lead 38-35. The last period had Starlites keeping their lead intact, despite a DeMartino trey, for Depiro. DeMartino persisted, and her next triple helped her side to take a lead. Starlites' next efforts were thwarted, as depiro answered back. With time running out Starlites went forward, and Grima points edged them ahead. When Depiro tried to stop the clock Starlites coolly netted their free shots, to open up a winning advantage, even if a small one.
Starlites: M. Zammit Cordina 3, K. Galea 9, A. Micallef , S. Farrugia 2, M. Bonett 2, H. Acreman, M. Riolo, J. Grima 15, P. Arguello 26, M. Cutajar, S. Davies, F. Fabok
Depiro: G. Mifsud 3, C. Camilleri 4, D. Agius 2, S. DeMartino 16, D. Said Hollier 1, M. Scicluna , N. Hili , C. Ciantar 4, A. Mifsud 1, A. Gray 19
Referees: B. Vassallo, N. Azzopardi, C. Pollet