Depiro Still 62
Hibs Go Mobile 50
(18-12)(14-15)(16-15)(14-8)
Depiro won their second seasonal honour, beating rivals Hibs in a match in which they led from the start. Hibs were close on several occasions but Depiro stood firm to dispel any doubts, and at the end, broke loose, as Hibs lost their key players on fouls.
Both sides started the game wary of each other. Depiro had the first break, grabbing an 8-2 lead, and Hibs had yet to react.
A series of free shots opened up Depiro’s lead, as the Paolites were unable to reply. Depiro sailed on to an 18-6 lead, but Hibs recovered at the end of the session, and a 6-0 run, with a Beverlee Zammit trey, put the score at 18-12.
In the second session it was a balanced match, as Hibs replied to every Depiro point. A Lucienne Bezzina trey made the score more close, as Hibs were trying to make up the leeway.
Depiro held on despite intense pressure, as both teams were hit by the foul situation. At the interval it was a 32-27 match.
After the break Hibs were determined to annul their deficit. They made the points but were hit by two Sarah Pace treys, as Depiro kept their lead. Roxanne Falzon was dismissed from the game, as her foul was deemed serious enough by referee Gordon Barbara.
Depiro held on to their lead, as Hibs lost Doreen Parnis on fouls. After three sessions it was a 48-42 game.
The last quarter saw Hibs losing their players on fouls. They managed to come close, at 46-49 but then Depiro pulled away again, to control against Hibs’ subs. This they did, as Hibs were in no condition to make up the difference as Depiro made sure with a 13-0 run to close the game.
After the match the MBA vice president, Mr Ray Mercieca, presented the Super Cup to Depiro and a memento to Hibernians.
Depiro: R Tryon, D Galea, G Zarb, R Falzon, L Cauchi, R Camilleri, S Pace, A Sciberras, J Cardona, E Bonello, R Spiteri, J Grima.
Hibs: M Desira, B Zammit, N Mifsud, L Bezzina, C Fenech, A Sciberras, D Parnis, A Darmanin, F Schembri, M Vella, S Micallef, M Cutajar.
Referees: Gordon Barbara, Alfred Carbonaro.