Luxol claimed the second spot in the standings again, beating Naxxar by a handsome margin.

They had a speedy start to the game going on an 11-0 lead. Naxxar recovered to close down on the Violets but Luxol hung on to their lead till the end of the session and then controlled the second quarter as Naxxar strove in vain to make up the deficit.

Luxol’s lead increased and at the interval they enjoyed a 30-18 advantage.

After the break Naxxar put in another sprint but Luxol were not caught napping and they went into their stride again to control the match till the end of the session, giving Naxxar a mountain to climb.

In the final quarter Naxxar threw in the towel quickly and Luxol hit them repeatedly with fast breaks to steer completely clear and ensure a quiet ending.

Naxxar: 9 Madeleine Demartino

Luxol: 16 Rachel Camilleri; 16 Caroline Fenech

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Gordon Barbara

Loyola Xuereb Inst. 39

Hibs Medsea 76

(11-16) (6-22) (15-12) (7-26)

Hibs continued on their winning way and stopped Loyola in their tracks, after the latter had made a good start to their campaign.

It was Loyola who made the first three loops but the Paolites replied with a 12-2 run including a couple of treys and ended the first session on top. They then continued with another 9-0 run at the start of the next session and although Loyola recovered a little, Hibs had a good ending till the interval, to hold a strong 38-17 lead.

After the break play was balanced for a while but Loyola then produced a good patch, and a 9-2 run made the score more respectable, on a 32-50 basis.

Hibs came into their own again in the last quarter and players came in from their bench to help their side in a 12-1 opening run. Loyola didn’t recover enough and Hibs could enhance their lead as Lucienne Bezzina and Beverlee Zammit piled on the points.

Loyola: 13 Carina Gauci

Hibs: 23 Lucienne Bezzina; 22 Beverlee Zammit; 14 Alexis Darmanin

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Joe Borg

SN Suns JC 27

Kerygma Go 60

(3-12) (8-13) (9-20) (7-15)

This game between the bottom two, winless, teams went Kerygma’s way, gathering the first victory of the season. They took a strong hold on the game from the outset, going into an 8-0 run and keeping Suns at a distance in the first session.

Suns fared better in the second quarter but Kerygma always had the better of their opponents and freely increased their lead till the half time buzzer, with the score at 25-11.

After the break Suns shared the play for some time, but the latter stages of the session belonged to Kerygma, as they amassed a long 16-1 run, for a 45-20 score, after some Amanda Farrugia hoops for Suns.

The last quarter was devoid of interest, given the large advantage enjoyed by Kerygma. Still, Suns managed a 7-0 run but Kerygma replied in two bursts to increase their lead further till the end of the game.

Suns: 8 Amanda Farrugia

Kerygma: 18 Denise Hollier; 13 Josette Calleja

Referees: Stephen Micallef, Jennifer Mangani