Hibs retain Cup, in their ninth success

Depiro     48     Hibernians     71

(2-20, 8-18, 19-13, 19-20)

Hibs had already practically made sure of retaining the Cup, won last season, in the first final played, opening up a resounding advantage. The second match was a mere conclusion, especially after the Paolites had again established a heavy interval advantage. This gave scope for the champions' bench players to put minutes on court under their belt. This also allowed Depiro to find more breathing space, to obtain some needy points, to make the final score a more respectable one. Depiro's absence of a foreign player played havoc with their plans, and Hibs took full advantage, to gain their second honour of the season, after their success in the Super Cup. Kudos for sterling work, by the Paolites' American, Amelia Simmons, and Sophie Abela, and Emma Micallef's three triples, in her limited time of play.

Notwithstanding their huge lead, from the previous match, Hibs opened up strongly once more, limiting their opponents to a single hoop, as Elena Cassar and Leanne Duncan sank treys, and Simmons and Abela made their hoops, to waltz away from their adversaries. The second session had Depiro in a better answering mood, but Hibs were still increasing their advantage with the passing minutes of play. A late 8-0 run also had them going on to a heavy 38-10 lead, at the interval.

After the break with changes being made in the Hibs playing line up, Depiro began to feature more in the play. Claire Ciantar, Gaby Mifsud and Steffi DeMartino helped out, to obtain more points for Depiro, also making up a good 11-1 run, late in the session, with Naomi farrugia netting a Hibs triple, before the end of the period, as her side were 51-29 in front. The last session was an open one, with both sides making points more frequently. The Paolites had the better opening, with a 12-4 run, and a couple of Micallef treys. Then Depiro were more in evidence, even if they lost Andrea Mifsud on two major fouls. DeMartino, Mifsud, also with a trey, and Nicole Agius grabbed Depiro's points, whilst Hannah Al Tumi was effective in the opposing zone, for the champions, along with Kirsty Caruana points, as the Paolites ended the game still with a good advantage over their opponents.

After the match the president emeritus, Louis Borg, presented medals to both sets of players, and the Hibs captain, Elena Cassar, received teh winning trophy, as Hibs retained it with back to back successes.

Depiro: No. Agius, Ni. Agius 11, G. Mifsud 12, C. Camilleri, S. DeMartino 12, D. Said Hollier, M. Scicluna 1, N. Hili, C. Ciantar 10, A. Mifsud, E. Cassar 2

Hibs: E. Micallef 11, E. Cassar 3, K. Calleja, S. Brincat 2, B. Agius, J. Abela 2, S. Abela 8, A. Simmons 18, N. Farrugia 3, H. Al Tumi 10, K. Caruana 6, L. Duncan 8  

Referees: D. Torok, I. Simic, M. Hraisha