Women’s basketball champions Rabat Depiro were yesterday presented with the league trophy.

It was presented to them by Michael Attard, managing director of Peugeot, sponsors of the women’s national league the past season, at the company’s showrooms in Blata-l-Bajda.

Depiro had won the title around three weeks ago after Hibs had failed to put in an appearance in the last playoffs, thus gaining their third win – on the table.

It was their fourth successive title under the able hands of coach Charles Bonnici who said yesterday he was proud of his players’ achievement.

“It was a difficult win, but it also confirmed my youngsters are maturing into fine players. Let us not forget that the Under 19s and the Under 17s also won their respective titles this season. They are the club’s guarantee for the future.

“The past season we won four out of five competitions. The other three were the Louis Borg Cup, the MBA Shield and the Super Cup,” he said.

Bonnici also said that the rivalry that existed between them and Hibernians had increased considerably after the argument over the eligibility of Joselle Cardona and Josephine Grima. “Eventually we won the day as their protest and appeal were not upheld,” he said.

Bonnici said taking part in a European competition will always remain a dream for the locals. “Certainly we do not have the required funds, although we would obviously like to take part, at least once. But we simply cannot afford it,” he added.

Team captain Dorianne Bezzina said they had tough opposition from Hibernians throughout the season. “When we had Cardona and Grima missing, the coach did well to utilise the youngsters in the squad. They all proved their worth as the team was successful this season, rising for the occasion whenever that was needed,” she said.

Bezzina and Grima, both of whom are national team players, agreed that it will be difficult to win the gold medal again at the Andorra Small Nations Games. They referred to the fact that there are now six new faces and it is still to be seen whether they will integrate themselves well in Prof. Santino Coppa’s plans.

Grima, who together with Cardona, was training in Priolo, Sicily, throughout the season, added that her stay there was a veritable challenge, though successful. “It helped me to improve considerably but I had to leave my work, though I am now waiting to get a chance to play abroad. At present we are negotiating with some clubs, but there is nothing concrete so far,” she said.