This top of the table encounter resulted in a low profile game, with absentees on both sides.

The two sisters on both sides, Dorianne Galea and Lucienne Bezzina were in family mourning and Raquel Camenzuli was also missing from Depiro’s ranks.

Nonetheless the champions still managed to win the game and preserve their unbeaten seasonal record.

Hibs were the better team at the start and went ahead. They kept their lead in the second session, on a low-scoring quarter and at the interval it was a low 21-13 match.

After the break, Depiro struck the right patch and a 13-0 run, helped by a couple of Sarah Pace treys, pushed them in front. Although Depiro increased their lead at the start of the final quarter, the Paolites still managed to tie the game, but the shots in the remaining time put Depiro ahead once again to finish up winners once again against Hibs.

Depiro: 11 Greta Zarb

Hibs: 12 Doreen Parnis

Referees: Emmanuel Mangani, Gordon Barbara.

SN Suns JC 29

Loyola Xuereb Inst. 63

(3-16)(11-11)(9-13)(6-23)

In the first match after the festive break, Loyola did the double over Suns to register their fifth victory in nine matches.

Suns played this game with just five players but they produced a good performance although Suns were never in any trouble in losing the match.

Loyola had two important players missing – captain Carina Gauci and Adalia Bonanno.

Loyola had a good opening and the first session lead eased their worries but Suns shared the play in the second session, but Lara Cauchi had already done the damage before, with her treys. At the interval it was a 27-14 match.

After the break, Suns still held out but Loyola didn’t relinquish their lead, as both sides made treys, but in the last quarter, Loyola took command again and Christine Grima, although on four fouls early in the game, left her mark and kicked up her personal points tally, as Suns were a tired lot at the end.

Suns: 12 Diane Falzon

Loyola: 22 Christine Grima, 19 Lara Cauchi.

Referees: Gordon Barbara, Joe Borg.

Kerygma 37

Luxol Vodafone 70

(5-21)(10-10)(6-17)(16-21)

Luxol kept chasing the top two clubs, making a double over Kerygma and registering another emphatic victory. They were without Rachel Camilleri but they had a good ending to the first session, with an 11-0 run, to open up a good lead.

Kerygma were more competitive in the second quarter and shared proceedings but the Violets could still count on their lead and at the half way stage they were leading 32-15.

After the break Luxol took command again, with a 12-0 run soon after the start and Kerygma were left behind. Kerygma had no answer and after three sessions Luxol held a strong 49-21 advantage.

In the last quarter both sides were more intent on attack in a balanced session but Luxol always held the upper hand, to start the New Year on a positive note.

Kerygma: 13 Josette Calleja

Luxol: 18 Ruth Spiteri, 17 Mandy Sciortino, 15 Justine Mangion.

Referees: Emmanuel Mangani, Jennifer Mangani.

Standings: 18 Depiro Still (9-0); 15 Hibs Medsea (6-3); 14 Luxol Vodafone (6-2); 14 Loyola Xuereb Inst. (5-4); 11 Naxxar Danone (3-5); 10 Kerygma (1-8); 8 SN Suns JC (0-8).