Hibs went through to the final beating off Luxol’s valiant efforts, to meet Depiro in the Final. The Paolites’first session lead stood them well and Luxol could never quite make upthe difference and pay the price.

Both teams went into this match with their standard formation. Hibs came straight out of the blocks in a determined mood and obtained the first two hoops of the match. Luxol had reply but the Paolites managed to take an 8-4 lead.

Luxol tried to halt the HIbs’s march but they fell further behind. The Violets then managed a reprieve with a last second Kirsten Micallef hoop.

In the second quarter Luxol came back after an early Hibs basket, bringing their deficit down to 11-16. Hibs had a reply with a brace of hoops but Luxol’s Kirsten Micallef sank a trey. Hibs kept control of the situation and their lead increased slightly till the end of the session. at the interval they were 25-16 in front.

After the break the scoring fell away as Hibs had a reply to the meagre Luxol points acquired. The Poalites opened up a 29-18 advantage but the Violets pressed and a three -basket run brought them closer again, only for Nadia Mifsud to nail a trey for Hibs. Till the end of the session it was a stalemate but Mifsud, playing a blinder for Hibs made a couple of free throws and Hibs were 34-24 ahead after three sessions.

In the last quarter Dawn Spiteri, fresh from the bench, started Luxol off with her hoops, but she found a quick reply everytime from Lucienne Bezzina. Then it was Mandy Sciortino’s turn for Luxol to put them 32-38 behind, but she was fouled out.

Both sides were making errors in their haste, but Doreen Parnis restored Hibs’ original lead. Time was against luxol as they couldn’t get any nearer and Lucienne Bezzina’s free shots made Hibs’ victory a more emphatic one.

Hibs: 17 Nadia Mifsud, 16 Lucienne Bezzina

Luxol: 12 Kirsten Micallef

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Alferd Carbonaro