The Women’s KO is being played with three officiating referees, as two of the officials, namely Jean Paul Sammut and Gordon Barbara, will be tested for the International badge next month.

The champions played careless defence in the first part of the match, but then controlled the rest of the game, to make their way into the semis, in a competition which they have dominated for the past years.

It was Kerygma who took the first lead at 9-4, but Hibs managed to sneak through to a minimum advantage in the first session.

In the second quarter, after the Paolites had gone further ahead, it was Denise Hollier who pulled Kerygma back to a 20-19 lead. Hibs’ reply was a 12-0 run, only to be stopped by a session-ending 8-0 break by Kerygma, for a 31-28 interval score for the champions.

After the break Hibs let loose, burying Kerygma in a shower of points, interspersed only by a Josette Calleja trey and a Fiona Schembri hoop.

Kerygma fell away and the Paolites enjoyed a 54-33 winning lead after three sessions.

In the fourth quarter Hibs were still pushing forward, but Kerygma found more space, especially Josette Calleja with her treys. Beverlee Zammit did even better, grabbing four long ones for Hibs.

The champions then inched further away for a handsome win, their third over Kerygma this season.

Hibs: 18 Beverlee Zammit, 17 Lucienne Bezzina, 13 Maria Desira

Kerygma: 20 Fiona Schembri, 14 Denise Hollier, 12 Josette Calleja

Referees: Leonard Falzon, Gordon Barbara, Clive Terribile

Luxol Vodafone 62

Loyola Xuereb Inst. 41

(16-5)(11-10)(16-10)(19-16)

Luxol made a strong start, to advance to the semis, shouldering aside a hesitant Loyola side, who were expected to perform better.

Luxol have now beaten Loyola in the three matches played this season. Loyola couldn’t get back in the game as Luxol made a jump ahead of them early on, and could administer the rest of the match in a relaxed manner.

Loyola had some bench players for this encounter. They made a bad start, after tying at 5-5 with a Christine Grima trey, but then they had to suffer some Luxol pressure, which resulted in an 11-0 run.

The Violets, sporting a new, red Vodafone kit, steered clear of their opponents.

In the second session Luxol carried on, building on their lead, for a 22-7 advantage. Loyola finally put their mark on the match in the latter stages, as they slightly reduced their deficit, but Luxol still held a good lead at the interval, with a 27-15 score.

After the break play became livelier as, at first, Luxol produced a 10-1 run to push themselves clear. Loyola came more in evidence as time passed. They even edged towards Luxol, so that after three sessions it was a 43-25 game.

In the final quarter Rachel Camilleri's fast play procured the points for Luxol, as they started to increase their lead once more.

Luxol: 23 Rachel Camilleri, 13 Emma Moore

Loyola: 15 Christine Grima, 12 Adalia Bonanno

Referees: Jean Paul Sammut, Stephen Micallef, Alfred Carbonaro

Naxxar Danone 47

Depiro Still 71

(6-20)(19-12)(9-23)(13-16)

Depiro disposed of Naxxar, and duly made their way into the semis. It was also their third seasonal win over Naxxar.

They had a lapse in the second session, allowing Naxxar to breathe behind their necks for a while, but recovered to go clear and ease their minds. It was a great comeback for Naxxar, but they couldn’t follow it up, and drifted away from the match.

Depiro made a strong start. An 11-2 opening run was followed with a session-ending 7-0 break, and Naxxar were facing an uphill task from the beginning.

In the second quarter Depiro added more points, but then they suddenly dried up, and Naxxar ran up an impressive 17-0 run, for a 25-23 score. Depiro managed to recover till the end of the session, and at the interval they were leading 32-25.

After the break Naxxar still kept pace with their opponents, but midway through the quarter Depiro came to life again, and a 15-0 run, with a Sarah Pace trey, pushed them clear, for a 55-34 lead after three sessions.

In the final session Depiro had their minds at rest, and with Sarah Pace still pouring in the points, including another trey, their lead became healthier.

Naxxar tried their best but Depiro were in full swing. The end came soon enough, with Claire Hawkins gaining personal points in Naxxar’s favour.

Naxxar: 14 Claire Hawkins

Depiro: 26 Sarah Pace, 19 Dorianne Galea

Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Jean Paul Sammut, Gordon Barbara

Men’s 1 Div. Playoff - Final 1

SN Suns Bell Med 42

Qormi Kia 53

(10-8)(12-9)(11-19)(9-17)

In a low-score match, Qormi made the first inroad for the title, beating Suns with a late burst in the final session.

Suns were on a par for most of the match, but they failed badly at the end, to concede the first game, as Qormi took the spoils.

Both sides took time to settle down and then both teams came up with treys, as Mark Schembri put one in for Suns, only for Simon Cauchi to follow suit for Qormi. Suns kept their noses in front till the end of the session.

They went on to extend their lead through Michel Curmi’s trey, but Nello Xuereb reduced the arrears for Qormi, for a single basket difference after the first quarter.

In the second session Keith Scicluna turned the score around for Qormi, with his personal points, including a trey, but Suns had a strong reaction, with a 12-0 run, and a Mark Schembri trey. Qormi managed to stop the run in the last seconds, through an Adrian Baldacchino trey, for a 22-17 favourable score for Suns.

After the break, it was Qormi who struck back with an 8-0 run, to tie the game, at 25-25. Suns went ahead again, through Mark Schembri points, but Qormi found space, and two treys in a row, in an 8-0 run, gave them the lead. Suns pulled back a hoop, and after three sessions it was Qormi leading 36-33.

The last quarter was short on points at first. After some time a Vince Spiteri trey tied the match. There were further treys at both ends as Qormi shot in the lead once more, after a 14-3 run. Despite further treys by Suns it was not enough as Qormi moved away when Suns hurried their shooting. At the end it was easier for Qormi to control the game.

Suns: 15 Mark Schembri,10 Michel Curmi

Qormi: 13 Adrian Baldacchino

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Clive Terribile