The Paolites gained their second seasonal win over Athleta having previously beaten them in a Shield group match.

In a low score first part of the match Athleta could barely muster a single hoop and the champions could, later on in the match, put in their bench players. Athleta are passing through a difficult time with frequent changes to their coaching staff and this is affecting the players’ performances.

The champions had a number of players missing - Caroline Schiavone, Doreen Micallef and Naomi Xuereb besides Nadia Arrigo.

Athleta, under the charge of Julian Galea for this game, had Naomi Barry back. They will be taken on by Charles Bonnici in a few days’ time.

The game had a slow start with both sides inaccurate in their conclusions for the best part of the session. Hibs then made a slow 7-0 run as Lucienne Bezzina netted a triple. Athleta then put in their only hoop for this period before Bezzina could sink a further hoop and extend her side’s advantage.

The second session had a somewhat similar story as points were still hard to come by and Athleta were left empty-handed in this period. The Paolites took time to build their run taking up all of the session for a 10-0 break. At the interval it was a low 19-2 advantage for the champions.

After the break Athleta were still scarce on points at first and Hibs made up a further 12-2 run through Joselle Cardona and Diane Cassar hoops.

Athleta finally managed a sequence of points but it was not long before the Paolites came up with another 8-0 run and some Maria Desira hoops besides a Kirsten Micallef trey. Athleta’s last points of this period only brought them to a hefty 11-39 deficit.

In the last session the game became more balanced as more bench players made their way on court. It was a case of Hibs’ players making their points and the Athleta ladies replying on nearly every occasion.

Desira made the main share of the points for the Paolites who are behind Luxol in the standings but with a match less.

Hibs: 4 E. Cassar, 3 D. Cassar, 5 L. Bezzina, 17 M. Desira, 4 A. Darmanin, 8 K. Micallef, 12 J. Cardona, E. Micallef.

Athleta: L. Pace, M. Azzopardi, 2 D. Jager, 11 L. Sciberras, 2 M. Azzopardi Duca, 2 G. Muscat, D. McKeon, N. Barry, 2 F. Camilleri, R. Sciberras, 4 L. Calleja.

Referees: Stephen Micallef, Clive Terribile





St Andrews 39

McDonalds Depiro 71

(8-28)(7-11)(10-20)(14-12)



For Depiro it was two wins out of three matches as they met the Saints for the first time this season. A solid opening provided the right approach for Depiro as they broke clear early on. With two stout performances from Sarah Pace and Kaila Agius they could impose their style of play and subject the Saints to some intense pressure before taking a breather in the last period.

The Saints lined up their standard formation but Depiro were without Greta Zarb.

St Andrews were on a par with their opponents in the first minutes of the match despite a Sarah Pace trey for Depiro as Justine Mangion replied for the Saints.

Depiro then took the upper hand when they rammed in a hefty 17-0 run.

At the end of the period Depiro had already strode well clear of their adversaries.

Depiro were still able to control in the second quarter but they were not so dominant as more of their bench players went on court. The points were not so plentiful but St Andrews could only manage a reply midway through the session in a 7-1 run with Mangion still the point grabber. Depiro went in at the interval on a 39-15 advantage.

After the break the Saints made a bright start with a 7-3 run all through Emma Grech points. From then on it was Depiro once more when they embarked on a good 12-0 run and an Agius trey leaving the Saints well behind.

The session ended with Depiro enjoying a 59-25 lead.

In the last quarter the game became more scrappy with the result in no doubt. The Saints were given more freedom of movement and they responded with some forceful play, mainly through Josette Calleja and Agnetha Agius.

Depiro’s replies came nearly all from Kaila Agius including a second trey, except for a Kelly Busuttil free throw in the last seconds of the match.

St Andrews: T. Pace Decesare, 2 N. Cassar, 2 R. De Martino, 4 J. Calleja, I. Galea, 4 A. Agius, 4 E. Cutajar, 13 J. Mangion, 8 E. Grech, D. Schranz, 2 M. De Martino.

Depiro: 20 S. Pace, J. Xuereb, A. Mifsud, 7 K. Busuttil, C. Tanti, 2 J. Busuttil Gaerty, 6 A Borg, C. Sammut, E Vella, S. Micallef, 34 K. Agius.

Referees: Stephen Micallef, Jennifer Mangani.



Luxol 60

Allcare Insurance Loyola 33

(16-9)(11-3)(19-13)(14-8)



Luxol are still focussed on the winning trail marking up their third league win in as many matches. It was their first meeting with Loyola this season and the latter had to bow to superior forces.

Loyola were a gritty lot and the Violets did not have it all their own way although they could indulge in some pretty play at times.

Luxol had young Kayleigh Portelli missing and Loyola also were without Abigail Sciberras with her place taken by Simone Ellul. Ruth Spiteri took charge of the Loyola side for this match.

Loyola made a spirited opening netting a couple of hoops and then, after a Luxol reply, went 6-4 in front.

The Violets settled down and came up with a good 12-0 run going through the opposing defence in intricate patterns. Loyola recovered towards the end of the session with Fiona Schembri nailing a long trey and taking off a few points from their deficit.

In the second period Luxol were dictating things once more putting an 8-0 run with a Francesca Psaila Savona trey.

Loyola stopped their opponents with a brace of free throws and were only able to add another one till the interval.

At the halfway stage the Violets were on a 27-12 advantage.

After the break Luxol opened up with their treys starting with an 8-0 run and treys by Mandi Sciortino and Bev Zammit. Loyola mustered a rally with a 6-2 run and a Jean Doughty trey but soon afterwards Emma Moore also netted a triple for the Violets.

The two teams then shared the rest of the period and the Violets were 46-25 in front after three periods.

It was quieter in the last quarter with the Violets putting in an 8-2 run and more Emma Moore points but then the level of play went down a notch with the result in no doubt. Luxol managed an 8-2 run as Moore hiked up her score.

Luxol: 15 E. Moore, 8 M. Sciortino, 4 B. Naudi, 7 F. Psaila Savona, 9 S. De Martino, 4 P. Ellul, 2 D. Muscat, L. Chetcuti, 2 M. De Martino, 9 B. Zammit.

Loyola: M. Gatt, 4 C. Tonna, 6 J. Doughty, 5 F. Schembri, 5 D. Said Hollier, R. Spiteri, 9 A. Bonanno, P. Montanaro, S. Ellul, F. Camilleri, SJ Barbara, K. Gouder

Referees: Alfred Carbonaro, Jennifer Mangani