Depiro were given quite a scare, as Luxol battled on through normal time. They were within a notable win, and even nearer in overtime, as both sides finished in another stalemate. The Violets were severely foul hit, losing four players, but they still kept Depiro anxious till the final seconds of the second overtime.

It was a balanced game till midway through the opening session, but then Depiro raced away, with an 11-0 surge, for a good lead.

Luxol recovered in the second session, going to within a 19-22 score. Depiro reacted and extended their lead, and a Dorianne Galea trey just before the halftime buzzer gave them a 29-21 advantage.

After the break Depiro found great difficulty in finding their way to the basket, and all they could gather were a few freeshots. Luxol ran up a good 14-0 break, to forge ahead, and after three sessions they were 39-33 in front.

Depiro tied the match soon after the start of the last quarter, but Luxol were by no means cowed, and built up another lead, only for Depiro to draw level with free throws, and force extra time.

The two teams were still locked together, as first one side, then the other, were in front. In the last five seconds Depiro had the game in their hands, but lost three free throws out of four, and the teams went into another overtime session, as players were lost on fouls on both sides.

Luxol were further hit, losing two more players, and Depiro could breathe more freely, as they scored six points before Luxol could reply, through Emma Moore’s efforts. Further points at both ends kept the score constant, but Luxol still threatened till the end, as Depiro laboured into the final, as they defended grimly Luxol’s final flings.

Depiro: 32 Dorianne Galea, 13 Sarah Pace

Luxol: 14 Mandy Sciortino, 11 Rachel Camilleri

Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Gordon Barbara, Alfred Carbonaro

Naxxar Danone 35

Hibs Medsea 76

(10-10(6-23)(10-17)(9-26)

The champioms made the final with their fourth seasonal victory over Naxxar. They took time to subdue their adversaries, but once they strode ahead with some co-ordinated play, they didn’t look back.

In fact, Naxxar had to play second fiddle for the rest of the match.

At first Naxxar had a good reply to Hibs’ swift opening, and managed to take the lead twice, before the Paolites drew level late in the session.

In the second quarter Naxxar went ahead for the last time, before the champions piled up an impressive 21-2 score, including a Lucienne Bezzina trey, which stretched on till the interval. Naxxar wilted under the pressure, and at the halfway stage Hibs had raced into a 33-16 lead.

After the break Naxxar seemed to be recovering, but Hibs, introducing their bench players, once more took the upper hand, with a 9-0 run, as well as a Beverlee Zammit trey, to increase their lead further.

Naxxar then shared the game, but after three sessions they were still way behind, at 26-50.

In the final quarter it was a more open game. Naxxar gave a piece of the action to their remaining bench players, and had to suffer Hibs’ relentless pressure, as the champions continued to improve on their winning margin.

Naxxar: 17 Sandra Schembri Wismayer

Hibs: 15 Beverlee Zammit, 11 Lucienne Bezzina, 11 Doreen Parnis

Referees: Jean Paul Sammut, Emanuel Mangani, Stephen Micallef