Starlites GIG    43     Hibernians     54

(8-13, 7-10, 16-19, 12-12)

This was the sixth meeting between these two sides, this season. Starlites had won all previous five, but this time the Paolites had sweet revenge, even if Starlites can make amends, in the second match, next Sunday. Hibs were always in front, except for a game opening Starlites hoop. Starlites' dash and endeavour, from earlier on in the season, seems to be fading, as they lost two out of their last three matches. Hibs, even if without their new mentor, Tony Camilleri, again, produced a sterling performance, which augurs well for them, in the second encounter. Starlites left out their Welsh player, Hayley Acreman, for this match.

Joey Grima had Starlites in front, at the start, but that was their only lead throughout the match. Hibs reacted with a steady 11-2 run, and an Emma Micallef trademark trey. Starlites crept a little nearer, but they were having difficulties. In the next period the champions opened up their lead further, with an early 8-1 run, from American, Amelia Simmons, and Leanne Duncan, slowly regaining her form, with her new club. Starlites had Kirsty galea with a triple, and more points, with Hibs making a couple of free throws, before the end of the session, for a 23-15 mid-match advantage.

After the break Hibs' Sam Brincat, also spreading out advice to her younger colleagues, sank a trey, but so did Michela Zammit Cordina, at the other end. A 9-2 run enhanced the Paolites' advantage Anthea Micallef put in Starlites' next points, with Brincat claiming a second Hibs trey. Spaniard, Patricia Arguello, made a late Starlites triple, with her side still trailing, at 31-42. Starlites edged closer, in the last session, with an 8-2 run, but Hibs' next forays had them coming up with an 8-2 run of their own, to restore their former advantage, as Sophie Abela led the champions' charge. Starlites have some way to go, next Sunday, to make up the leeway, and get back in contention,  

Depiro: T. Steen 26, K. Hamilton 25, J. Attard, A. Aquilina 12, N. Grech 3, O. Said 6, M. Borg, M.Mallia , E. Briffa, M. Borg, J. Nygaard 7, A. Chomo 13, A. Attard

Starlites: O. Psaila, N. Formosa 8, R. Bonnici 5, C. Ward 20, M. Falzon, A. Felice Pace 4, R. Carabott, M. Scerri, A. Sears 8, J. Tagarelli 17, J. Stotts 19

Referees: B. Vassallo, K. Dworniczak, M. Hraisha

 

 

Caffe Moak Luxol     64     Depiro     83

(11-25, 10-27, 25-10, 18-21)

This was a topsy turvy match, as Depiro completely outclassed their adversaries till the interval, then Luxol came roaring back, after the break, to stun their opponents. Depiro then came up with a late burst, to give the Violets quite a steep hill to climb, next Sunday, in the second encounter. This Jeckyll and Hyde stuff is becoming more frequent in the Ladies matches, which leaves respective coaches shaking their heads in disbelief. As it is Depiro will be firm favourites to go through, in a few days' time, if Luxol do not come up with a sparkling performance, as in their play, after the break. Luxol recovered their Spaniard, Ina Baena, back from abroad, but had Martina Darmanin missing, with stitches in her eyebrow, from the last encounter.

Depiro were swift off the block, making up a solid 16-2 start, as Steffi de Martino, in outstanding form, and Gaby Mifsud, netted triples, along with American, Ashley Gray, hoops. Luxol tried to get nearer, but were met by another Mifsud triple, only for Sarah Pace to sink a Luxol trey. Depiro netted two late hoops, for a better advantage. In the next period Depiro kept their opponents at a stretch, with another 10-2 run, and a further De Martino trio of triples. Luxol began making their hoops, but Depiro were replying in their own way, as Mifsud, and Nicole Agius, twice, netted more treys. At the interval Luxol were way behind, at 21-52.

The third session, after the break, was a totally new page in the script. The Violets went on fire, limiting their opponents to a single hoop, and piling up a 23-2 run, as American, Alexis Dillard, poured in the points, and treys came from Monique Caruana, with a brace, and Pace. Gray countered with her free shots, and started a late 8-2 run, with another DeMartino last second trey, for a healthier 62-46 lead, but way down from their earlier interval advantage. The last quarter had Luxol making up another try. This time it was Pace with a brace, and Caruana with another triple, in answer to another De Martino triple. for Depiro. Luxol seemed back in contention, but Depiro free throws, mainly by De Martino, had them on a better standing. Luxol made free shots of their own, but the game's last points came from more Depiro free throws, and a last second Denise Said Hollier hoop, extending their already solid advantage.

Luxol: S. Pace 19, M. Caruana 9, Ni. Vella 2, I. Baena 4, K. Portelli 4, A. Borg 3, A. Dillard 21, L. Caruana Montaldo, C. Mifsud 2

Depiro: No. Agius, N. Agius 7, G. Mifsud 11, C. Camilleri, D. Agius, S. De Martino 31, D. Said Hollier 2, M. Scicluna 2, N. Hili, C. Ciantar 10, A. Mifsud A. Gray 20  

Referees: Z. Dobrosavljevic, K. Dworniczak, V. Nikolic