Depiro 39 Hibernians 57
(6-20, 10-6, 14-15, 9-16)
The two sides had contested the Louis Borg Cup finals, with Hibs holding on to their success, from the previous season. A few days later they had to cross swords once more, in the league, with the champions continuing with their positive march, with eight victories, in nine matches, against Depiro. Hibs established a heavy advantage, soon after the start of the second session, but then seemed to lose interest, netting no more points till the interval. They were still glad after the break, to share the play, but a strong opening in the last period pushed them away in front, allowing Depiro to grab some more points, till the end. As if Depiro were not debilitated, with the loss of their American, now back in her homeland, they also had to contend with four other missing players, for this encounter.
The Paolites opened up well, with Depiro managing to reply, at first. Then Hibs strode away in front, with American, Amelia Simmons, grabbing the last points of the session, for a solid advantage. The next session had the champions making more hoops, with Depiro having Denise Said Hollier with a trey. The Hibs players fell away, making mistakes, and Depiro put in a modest 7-0 run, till the end of the session, for a 26-16 score, at the interval.
After the break Depiro were getting closer still, as Steffi DeMartino netted a triple. Hibs came up with a 9-2 run, and a Sam Brincat trey, along with more Simmons hoops. Depiro shared the remaining minutes of the period, as they faced a 30-41 score. The last session had the champions storming forward again, with an 11-0 run, to settle the matter. Then they eased off once more, and Depiro had Gaby Mifsud and DeMartino with their triples for a somewhat better scoreline, as Kirsty Caruana made the Paolites' last points.
Depiro: N. Borg 2, G. Mifsud 11, S. DeMartino 10, D. Said Hollier 5, N. Hili 4, C. Ciantar 4, A. Mifsud 2, E. Cassar 1
Hibs: E. Micallef, E. Cassar 2, S. Brincat 7, B. Agius, J. Abela, S. Abela 14, A. Simmons 27, N. Farrugia, H. Al Tumi, K. Caruana 3, L. Duncan 4
Referees: I. Simic, V. Nikolic, J. Mangani
Caffe Maok Luxol 59 Starlites GIG 68
(6-12, 10-15, 16-8, 27-33)
After five successive defeats, against their opponents, Luxol has surprised Starlites in their last league meeting and they made a very good effort to repeat the dose, but failed in the latter stages of the encounter. A solid Starlites advantage, midway through the second session did not suffice at first, as Luxol came roaring back. It was left to the Spaniard, Patricia Arguello, with her cool play, to pick Starlites up, and take them to the finish line. Once more the Violets had the bubbling American, Alexis Dillard, to lead the way, making more than half of her side's tally. Luxol were missing Beverlee Zammit and Chantelle |Mifsud, but had Paula Ellul back, after her stint in Australia, although she remained on the bench. Starlites chose to rest Maria Bonett and samantha Farrugia, and introduced another new player, from Santo Domingo, Giocelis Reynoso, who had a quiet outing, before being fouled out.
Starlites made the first inroad, as Kirsty Galea sank a triple. Luxol crept near, but Starlites opened up their lead again, with Michela Riolo also making a triple. In the second session Starlites were making more headway, and another Galea trey gave them a heavy advantage, but this seemed to wake Luxol up, and late Dillard free throws cut down on their deficit, for a 16-27 interval score.
After the break a Monique Caruana triple, and more Dillard points, had the Violets a hoop behind. Starlites opened up again, with an8-2 run, and another Riolo trey. Luxol amnaged a late spurt, with Sarah Pace sinking a triple and her side were 32-35 in arrears. In the alst period, which seemed to last forever, both sides scored an impressive number of points. Arguello made a trey, with Pace replying likewise, for Luxol. Then it was Josephine Grima takking Starlites to a better advantage, but Luxol were back, with more Dillard points. Pace's third triple had Luxol on a par, but Starlites eked out another lead Luxol were still chasing, as Dillard and Pace kept them hoping, but they had to contend with Arguello's fine playas she kept Starlites beyond Luxol's reach, even in Pace netted her fourth trey, but that was a s far as Luxol went, as Starlites made the remaining free shots, when Luxol tried to stop the clock, to hold on comfortably to their advantage, and accompany Hibs, in the top placing.
Luxol: S. Pace 14, M. Caruana 4, N. Vella, I. Baena 8, No. Vella, S. Vella 1, K. Portelli 1, A. Borg, P. Ellul, A. Dillard 31
Starlites: M. Zammit Cordina 10, K. Galea 10, M. Riolo 8, F. Fabok, H. Acreman, C. Curmi 3, J. Grima 12, P. Arguello 22, M. Cutajar, S. Davies, A. Lupo
Referees: Z. Dobrosavljevic, T. Mantere, N. Xuereb