Depiro Still 34
Luxol Vodafone 44
(16-7)(4-14)(5-16)(9-7)
Luxol pulled off another win over Depiro, although the latter had Rosanne Falzon suspended and Josephine Grima and Joselle Cardona in Sicily. Added to that Raquel Tryon was injured at the start of the last session.
Still Depiro have only themselves to blame as they wasted enough opportunities to make a better game of it. They couldn’t have hoped for a better opening, on a 14-2 score, but then they let the initiative pass into Luxol’s hands and the Violets began to creep up and at the end of the second session they also managed to sneak a lead through Ruth Spiteri, at 21-20.
After the break Depiro fell away and Luxol started to increase their advantage, making a 14-0 opening run and Depiro were in real trouble. They managed to rally and made it to 29-37 down, when they lost Raquel Tryon.
From then on Luxol could hold out easily and ran out comfortable winners, their second win over Depiro in the league. Depiro now have a hard road to climb, to top the table.
Depiro: 19 Dorianne Galea
Luxol: 18 Ruth Spiteri
Referees: Steve Gouder, Jennifer Mangani.
Naxxar Danone 60
Qormi Seiko 44
(21-6)(15-11)(9-8)(15-19)
Naxxar beat bottom-club Qormi, for their eighth league win and it was their fourth seasonal win over their opponents.
They went for a strong opening, getting it with a 21-3 run and never looked back.
Qormi had a reaction in the second quarter, also managing a trey by Carina Gauci, but Naxxar still held the upper hand, to end the interval on a good 36-17 lead.
After the break the points were scarcer as Naxxar held on to their lead and Qormi couldn’t make any inroads on their deficit.
The last quarter was more energetic, as Qormi at last made their impact, with a 15-6 run, thanks to Gauci’s points. Naxxar rallied briefly to extend their lead again while Qormi shared the game till the end, as Naxxar keep pressing Depiro for the second spot.
Naxxar: 18 Annabel Busuttil
Qormi: 19 Carina Gauci; 16 Fiona Micallef
Referees: Stephen Micallef, Joe Borg
Hibs Go Mobile 86
Kerygma 33
(19-6)(24-8)(19-7)(24-12)
The Paolites’ lead at the top of the standings was not in jeopardy, as they strolled through their game against Kerygma.
It was actually their sixth success over their opponents this season, in three different competitions. Hibs’ good start brought them a 12-1 lead, and they kept a good hold on the game.
In the second quarter they produced a 12-0 break to steer completely clear as Kerygma then managed a reaction till the interval, but Hibs were well in command, on a 43-14 score.
After the break Hibs didn’t let up, and their subs still kept on the pressure with Kerygma only able to offer limited resistance.
The final session brought a glut of points, as the Paolites kept hammering away and hiking up their total, but Kerygma came more into the picture, and had a good ending to bolster their spirits.
Hibs are still riding high at the top of the standings.
Hibs: 21 Lucienne Bezzina; 17 Marion Vella
Kerygma: 17 Renette Debono
Referees: Alfred Carbonaro, Clive Terribile
League standings: 11-1 Hibs Go Mobile 23 points; 9-2 Depiro Still 21 points; 8-4 Naxxar Danone 20 points; 6-6 Luxol Vodafone 18 points; 2-10 Kerygma 14 points; 0-12 Qormi Seiko 12 points.