Depiro     47     Caffe Moak Luxol     71

 (8-24, 9-31, 14-8, 16-8)

It was imperative for Depiro to win this match, to entertain any hopes of a Play Off berth, given that the group winners were going straight into the final, and the next two placed sides were to play for a place in the final. But all the plans went astray, as Depiro fielded a depleted outfit, with a total of four players missing, American, Ashley Gray, who went back home, Gaby Mifsud, abroad, Claire Ciantar, indisposed, and Julia Schembri.

Luxol pressed from the start, as American, Alexis Dillard, flourished under the boards. There was also Spaniard, Ina Baena, with her triple, and also skipper, Sarah Pace, with more points. Depiro had Nicole Agius and Steffi DeMartino with treys, but they had already fallen a distance behind. In the next period the Violets did not let off, as they hammered at Depiro's basket. This time Dillard received more help, as five more triples were registered in Luxol's favour, with another brace from Baena, and Monique Caruana went on court, to sink three more. Depiro sought to make a more respectable score, with Martina Scicluna points and DeMartino nailing a last second triple. At the halfway mark Luxol were leading handsomely, on a 55-17 score.

After the break Luxol were very complacent, and their work rate dropped. They also introduced bench players, for more game time, and Depiro began to find more space., as they managed to trim down their deficit a little. DeMartino sank another triple, but the Violets were still way ahead, for any consideration from Depiro, who continued to push forward, in search of more points. With a last session to go Luxol were on a 63-31 advantage. Luxol were still at sixes and sevens, finding difficulty in adding to their tally. At the other end DeMartino stayed focused, and netted her fourth triple, besides other points, as Depiro cut down still more, from their deficit. The game petered down to a tame end, with Luxol virtually assured of a third position in the standings, leaving Depiro to prepare for their K.O.final.

Depiro: No. Agius, Ni. Agius 12, C. Camilleri 2, S. DeMartino 21, D. Said Hollier 4, M. Scicluna 3, N. Hili 5, A. Mifsud, E. Cassar

Luxol: S. Pace 6, B. Zammit, Ni. Vella 2, I. Baena 13, No. Vella 2, S. Vella 8, K. Portelli, A. Borg, L. Caruana Montaldo, M. Caruana 9, A. Dillard 29

Referees: B. Vassallo, M. Hraisha, V. Nikolic

 

Hibernians     54     Starlites GIG     57

(17-9, 10-11, 17-23, 10-14)

Despite losing heavily only a few days before, against the same opponents, this time Starlites recorded an important win, which sees them going alongside the same Paolites, but ahead on direct encounters. The champions led for the major part of the game, but Starlites stuck to their task, to claim the victory.The only differences, from last Monday's match, were Kaya Calleja taking her place in the Paolites' side, in lieu of Britney Agius, and on Starlites' side, where Welsh lady, Hayley Acreman, was fit for play, with Marilou Cutajar making way. Spaniard, Patricia Arguello, also recovered from her injury, which had her making a premature end to her last encounter.

The champions made the better start, replying well to Starlites' opening hoop, with a four-hoop spread, and Sophie Abela very active, but Christine Curmi sank a Starlites trey. Hibs were back, to increase their advantage, ending the period on a 9-2 run, and a late Sam Brincat triple. In the next session Joey Grima put in points for Starlites, but American, Amelia Simmons, answered back for the Paolites, maintaining her side's lead. Then there were Adriana Lupo and Kirsty Galea to keep Starlites in the hunt. At the interval the champions still held a 27-20 advantage.

Hibs began well enough after the break, with a second Brincat triple, and increased their lead to a double figure one. Then they had a slump, and Starlites retaliated well, making up a solid 13-2 run, with Kirsty Galea and Arguello triples, going to within a point of their adversaries. Elena Cassar netted a Hibs trey, but Galea promptly sank her Starlites second one. Her side were on a par twice, but it was Hibs once more, ahead, at the session's end, on a tight 44-43 score. Starlites finally went ahead, in the last quarter, also with an Arguello triple, but they were pulled back twice. Starlites were in front for a third time, with Hibs breathing down their necks. Starlites grimly held on till the end, to thwart their opponents, and jump to the top of the standings, with direct encounters.

Hibs: E. Micallef, E. Cassar 3, K.Calleja, S. Brincat 10, I. Agius, J. Abela, S. Abela 14, A. Simmons 16, N. Farrugia, H. Al Tumi 6, K. Caruana, L. Duncan 5        

Starlites: M. Zammit Cordina 2, K. Galea 17, M. Riolo, S. Farrugia, M. Bonett 7, H. Acreman, C. Curmi 8, J. Grima 9, P. Arguello11, F. Fabok, S. Davies, A. Lupo 3

Referees: T. Manter, N. Azzopardi, C. Xuereb