Depiro Still 57

Loyola Xuereb Inst. 50

(18-2)(10-13)(21-15)(8-22)

The champions booked their passage to the final in three straight wins, including the opening bonus win. They were the clear favourites from the start, and they will be looking ahead at the final.

After a quiet start, Depiro took the game in hand, and embarked on a long 14-0 run, till the end of the session, with Loyola unable to reply. In the second quarter it was a different matter and, after an increase in Depiro's lead, Loyola finally combined together, and a 9-0 run gave them a more respectable score. Depiro reacted till the end of the session, and at the interval it was a 28-15 match.

After the break Loyola were still in the game, with an opening three-hoop break, but Depiro put paid to any pretensions, and a 12-0 run re-established their superiority. Loyola managed to have a reply, and they shared the rest of the quarter, as Depiro were enjoying a 49-30 advantage over their opponents.

In the final session the champions' bench players started coming on court, and after an opening balanced session, it was Loyola who pressed and Depiro were in difficulty with their court formation.

A creditable 14-0 run till the end of the match, ending with a glorious Carina Gauci trey, gave Loyola tremendous satisfaction despite the fact that were eliminated.

Depiro were through, now awaiting to see who their opponents in the final are going to be.

Depiro: 25 Dorianne Galea

Loyola: 15 Adalia Bonanno, 14 Carina Gauci

Referees: Alfred Carbonaro, Clive Terribile

Luxol Vodafone 63

Hibs Medsea 54

(10-15)(14-12)(16-19)(23-8)

Luxol came from behind in these play-offs once more, and forced the fifth and final match in these semis after Hibs had won the third semi-final 42-36. They also showed the parity of these two sides, as they both won three of their six encounters, four of them in the play-offs.

Hibs had the better start, and a Beverlee Zammit trey opened the way for a 9-5 lead. Luxol were always close but the Paolites kept their heads in front after the first session.

In the second quarter Alexia Jones opened and closed this session with a trey for Luxol. Hibs still kept their lead throughout, but they were hard pressed by the Violets, who ensured a close game. At the interval it was a 27-24 match.

After the break the two sides stayed close to each other at first, with Hibs hanging on to their advantage, but in the latter stages of the session free throws enabled the Paolites to open up their lead to double figures.

They seemed to have control over their opponents, but Luxol, through a brace of Mandy Sciortino hoops came back, and after three sessions it was a closer 46-40 score.

In the final quarter Hibs collapsed as Luxol pressed and compiled a long 16-0 run. Alexia Jones gave them the lead and Luxol improved on it. Hibs' reply came too late as Luxol stuck it out to deny their opponents any chance of getting too close for comfort.

Luxol tied the series at 2-2, and tomorrow’s rubber will decide the finalists against Depiro.

Luxol: 20 Caroline Fenech, 18 Alexia Jones

Hibs: 18 Lucienne Bezzina

Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Jean Paul Sammut