Depiro Still 44

Hibs Go Mobile 50

(12-14) (8-10) (14-10) (10-16)

Hibs kept their top placing, getting their fourth win in a row, and pushing champions Depiro down the standings, after their second defeat.

Depiro had Dorianne Galea injured on the bench and likewise was Beverlee Zammit for Hibs. Depiro’s two early strikes were nullified by the Paolites, with a 10-0 run but Depiro were just a basket down after the first session. There were less points in the second quarter as Hibs kept their lead but Depiro were never far behind. At the interval it was a 24-20 game.

After the break Hibs did not relinquish their lead, although pressured by Depiro who came back at the end of the session, to tie at 34-34.

The final quarter saw Depiro forge ahead, as young Sarah Pace netted her second trey. Hibs replied quickly and although going behind briefly again they managed an 8-0 run as Depiro were flustered enough.

Greta Zarb sank a trey, getting them near again, but the Paolites held out, to keep their unbeaten record in the league.

Depiro: 16 Josephine Grima

Hibs: 19 Lucienne Bezzina, 14 Doreen Parnis

Referees: Stephen Micallef, Alfred Carbonaro

Qormi Seiko 43

Kerygma 58

(8-11) (12-9) (13-20) (10-18)

In the battle between the bottom teams, Kerygma eased themselves off the bottom rung of the standings, with their first league victory.

It was also their third seasonal win over Qormi, having beaten them twice in the Louis Borg Cup. Qormi led for the only time at the start of the game but a late rally by Kerygma gave them a first-session lead, which they kept for most of the second quarter.

Just before the interval they managed to tie the match at 20-20. The tide started to twin after the break, as Kerygma made a 9-2 run.

Qormi came back to a point down, at 31-32, but Kerygma broke free again to lead 40-33 after three sessions.

In the final quarter Qormi managed to get close again but Josette Calleja’s treys gave Kerygma the push they needed and a 13-2 break gave them enough of a lead to end the game on a sound note, leaving Qormi to prop up the table.

Qormi: 19 Carina Gauci, 10 Adalia Bonanno

Kerygma: 19 Josette Calleja, 17. Renette Debono

Referees: Stephen Micallef, Carlo Farrugia

Naxxar Danone 59

Luxol Vodafone 43

(10-11) (12-9) (15-13) (22-10)

Naxxar remained positioned at the top half of the standings, having had the better of Luxol, thanks to a positive fourth quarter, after being chased for most of the game.

Irene Farrugia was missing from the court for Naxxar, but Sandra Schembri Wismayer had a blinder and gave the Violets’ defence enough worries.

Naxxar had the early start, but Luxol came back to inch ahead just before the end of the session.

In the second quarter Naxxar went ahead again but fell behind again, after Luxol’s insistence. Danone ended the session just strong enough to grab the lead, at 22-20, at the break.

After the interval it was very balanced as both teams stayed close to each other and were tied at 31-31, when Naxxar went in front again, and were 37-33 ahead after three sessions.

Naxxar then got the necessary breaks to open up a decent lead, as Luxol started to fall away. At the end Naxxar strolled home for their third win in four matches.

Naxxar: 26 Sandra Schembri Wismayer, 11 Sammy Jo Barbara

Luxol: 13 Justine Mangion, 12 Ruth Spiteri

Referees: Stephen Gouder, Jennifer Mangani