SN Suns JC Elect. Inst. 34

Hibs Medsea 79

(4-31, 12-31, 8-2, 10-10)

The Paolites improved on their uncertain start, to make it two wins out of four games, and handed Suns their third defeat.

Suns were overwhelmed straight from the start, as Hibs ran into a 14-0 lead. Suns could only reply through a couple of hoops as Hibs sailed through for a large first session lead. Coach Mario Tabone then put his second string on court and Suns could breathe easier, as Hibs’ points fell away, but at the interval buzzer it was still a 44-16 lead for the Paolites.

After the break, with Hibs’ regular players back on court again, it was another high scoring session for them, breaking further away, to enhance their lead, and when the bench players went back on court it became a balanced match once more.

The scoring fell away again, with both sides happy at the outcome.

Suns: 8 Marion Azzopardi, 8 Doris Bonello.

Hibs: 20 Beverlee Zammit, 15 Alexis Darmanin, 14 Lucienne Bezzina

Referees: Carlo Farrugia, Alfred Carbonaro.

Naxxar 45

Loyola Xuereb Inst. 55

(5-17, 12-12, 12-13, 16-13)

The Loyola team continued to surprise, as they registered their third victory in four games. Naxxar have only a solitary win in three outings. An inept Naxxar first session paved the way for their downfall, as Loyola started on a top note, to gain a more than useful lead which helped them on in the other three sessions.

Although Naxxar were marginally better in the second quarter, Loyola’s treys kept their lead intact, and at the interval they were 29-17 ahead in a low score game.

After the break Naxxar still couldn’t make any headway, despite Claire Hawkins’ great-hearted efforts, but Lara Camilleri was sinking her treys for Loyola.

In the last session Naxxar still found it difficult at first and then, when they at last managed to stitch a 10-2 run, it was too late as time had run out on them, giving the young Loyola team a great impetus for the rest of the season.

Naxxar: 25 Claire Hawkins

Loyola: 14 Christine Grima, 14 Carina Gauci

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Jennifer Mangani.

Depiro 66

Luxol 46

(19-9, 20-13, 18-11, 9-13)

This top of the table clash proved easier than expected for Depiro, even though they were without Rosanne Falzon and Raquel Tryon, Luxol’s players seemed to have the know-how at the start, but a 10-0 run late in the first session demoralised them.

In the second quarter they seemed to pick up again but Depiro always found a way to the basket. Joselle Cardona’s free shots at the end ensured a comfortable lead for the champions, as the Violets were held to a 22-39 disadvantage.

After the break Luxol tried to make more of a game of it but Depiro fended them off with a Sarah Pace trey, and then started to extend their lead again with Luxol unable to deny them. After three sessions it was already over, given the 57-33 score for Depiro.

The last quarter found the Violets with more space on court but the disparity in the score was too big and Depiro could easily coast through the remainder of the match, sitting pretty at the top of the standings with four wins.

Depiro: 21 Dorianne Galea, 17 Joselle Cardona.

Luxol: 14 Caroline Fenech.

Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Alfred Carbonaro.

Standings: 4 – 0 Depiro 8; 3 –1 Loyola X.I. 7; 2 – 2 Hibs M. 6; 2 – 1 Luxol 5; 1 –2 Naxxar 4; 0 – 3 Kerygma 3; 0 – 3 S N Suns JC 3.