Depiro keep on chasing the champions, having had no difficulty in acquiring their sixth league win in eight matches. It was also their third win over Suns this season, having beaten them in the Shield and in the first part of the league campaign. Suns continue to display their great hearted approach to the game, despite the uphill task they have to face in every match.

Suns fielded a depleted side, with just six players, and they felt the pressure from the Depiro players straight from the start, conceding 11 points before they managed to put in two hoops of their own. Depiro had Greta Zarb and Rachel Camilleri missing from the encounter. The Mtarfa side picked up again till the end of the quarter, to go into a double figure lead.

At the start of the second session Nicolette Buhagiar sank a trey for Suns, in a 5-2 opening. Depiro then took complete command for nearly the whole of the session, and ran up a long 14-0 break, as Joselle Cardona was very active under the boards. Suns managed a single hoop at the end, as Lilian Cremona made her second shot. At the interval Depiro held a 30-11 advantage.

After the break Depiro started off as before, with a 10-2 run, but Suns came more into the picture midway through the quarter, and Abigail Camilleri made a three point play. Depiro didn’t have it all their own way, although they continued to add on to their lead, and after three sessions they were 48-19 in front.

In the final session Suns were still backpedalling, as Depiro kept on their relentless forcing. A 7-2 run, with a Sarah Pace trey, served them to try out schemes of play, and give needed practice to their bench players. It was also a useful try out for Rhian Spiteri, playing her second game, after recovering from injury. Suns were limited to just one hoop, as Depiro tightened their defence.

SUNS: 8 Lilian Cremona

DEPIRO: 18 Joselle cardona, 11 Rhian Spiteri, 10 Raquel Camenzuli

REFEREES: Gordon Barbara, Jennifer Mangani

Hibs Medsea 69

Sliema Wanderers 36

(16-5)(15-10)(19-11)(19-10)

The Paolites registered their fourth victory over Sliema, in three different competitions. Their unbeaten league record was never in any danger, as they went clear in the first part of the match. Sliema’s Leanne Sciberras boosted her side to a good performance, though the champions always held the upper hand in the scoring.

The Paolites made a careless start, missing most of their shots, and Sliema made the most of the occasion, staying close to their opponenets for most of the session. When it looked like Hibs were going to have a worrying time, up stepped Lucienne Bezzina, who dominated the last minutes, making a total of nine points, to hoist her side clear, and give them a much-needed shot in the arm.

Having established a lead, the champions went out in the second session, and started to put in their bench players. They managed to hold their level of play for some time, and a 12-2 opening run showed their command of the match.

Sliema then played their part, and Leanne Sciberras sank a last second possession trey. The Paolites’ scoring rate went down, and it was Sliema with a good ending to the quarter. At the interval it was a 31-15 game.

After the break the champions were still somewhat hesitant, and Sliema shared the match with their opponents for a time. It was Alexis Darmanin, who recovered her scoring touch, and galvanised Hibs to a 9-0 run, with most of her points. This was stopped by Sciberras’ points, and the two teams were not so prolific till the end of the session, as the champions led 50-26.

Hibs then played in spurts in the final quarter, as Doreen Parnis had a good scoring spell, but Leanne Sciberras made a good reply for Sliema. The Paolites seemed content with the score, and Sliema obtained the best result, so far, in their four encounters with the champions.

HIBS: 15 Lucienne Bezzina, 14 Doreen Parnis, 11 Alexis Darmanin

SLIEMA: 17 Leanne Sciberras

REFEREES: Emanuel Mangani, Jean Paul Sammut

Luxol 38

Kerygma 39

(9-10)(7-11)(9-7)(13-11)

In a low scoring encounter, Kerygma put paid to Luxol’s aspirations of making the top three positions, and a place in the championship pool.

Kerygma also avenged their two previous defeats at the Violets’ hands earlier on in the season. This was achieved with a minimal single point

victory.

The low score kept the two sides together through the whole match. Kerygma seem to be making it a habit of beating more quoted sides, and also keeping their mid-table position in the table.

Kirsten Micallef returned for Luxol, after her sojourn in Australia, while Claire Spiteri was missing for Kerygma.

Luxol went into a 5-2 lead at the start, but Kerygma found their touch, and went in front. Luxol managed to overturn the score, with a couple of hoops from Justine Mangion, but it was Kerygma who finished the session in the lead, with a Josette Calleja free shot right at the end.

In the second quarter Kerygma fell behind at first, but then replied with a 7-0 run, and a Calleja trey. Luxol tried hard, but they couldn’t get back in the lead till the end of the session, although they went near. Another Calleja brace of free throws for Kerygma in the closing stages gave them a low 21-16 advantage at the interval.

After the break Kerygma kept their noses in front. Luxol couldn’t seem to get going, and their deficit remained constant till midway through the quarter.

A Psaila Savona trey brought the Violets within the distance, but Kerygma were still in front after three sessions, on a 28-25 score. In the final session Luxol finally broke through, but they didn’t enjoy their lead for long.

Then it was treys at both ends, Psaila Savona for Luxol and Calleja, with her second for Kerygma. Luxol kept chasing their opponents, and in the last minute Justine Mangion sank a couple of hoops to put the Violets ahead.

It was not enough, as Annabel Busuttil, not long in the court, cooly put in the necessary two points from the free throw line, to keep Kerygma in their fourth spot in the table, with Luxol falling back a place.

LUXOL: 11 Justine Mangion

KERYGMA: 15 Renette Debono, 13 Josette Calleja

REFEREES: Bernard Vassallo, Jennifer Mangani

Standings: 16 Hibs Medsea (8-0), 14 Depiro (6-2), 12 Loyola Xuereb Installations (5-2), 12 Kerygma (4-4), 11 Luxol (3-5), 8 Sliema Wanderers (1-6), 8 SN Suns JC (0-8)