It was a match with a foregone conclusion, as the extremities of the standings met each other. The champions had a stroll, and their bench players had some good playing time on court. The large win brought some good personal scores, as the century was reached at the closing of the match.
With some bench players straight from the start, the champions rushed Suns off their feet, and piled up an 18-0 run, before Suns could open their account, with a Petra Zammit hoop. Maria Desira and Marilou Cutajar were accurate in their shooting, and Hibs were still in full control till the end of the session, with another 9-0 run.
The Paolites made four changes in the second quarter. Nothing changed in their play, and a further 12-0 run emphasised their dominance, but in the next few minutes it was Suns who managed to eke out a 6-2 run, when the champions were a little careless in the zone. Hibs picked up again, in the latter stages, with a 10-0 run, and Lucienne Bezzina and Doreen Parnis hoops, but Petra Zammit made her third hoop for Suns, for a 51-10 score at the interval.
After the break Suns were still being hit badly, with Hibs’ bench players still on court. Alexis Darmanin was lethal in the paint, and Bev Zammit also hiked up her personal score, adding a trey. Suns were again limited to a single hoop, by Lilian Cremona. After three sessions it was a 77-12 game.
In the final session Suns managed an early basket, but Hibs took up the reins again, although they became careless once more with such a large score in their favour. They made an effort to reach the century mark, and made it in the last seconds of the match, for an expected double over Suns.
HIBS: 21 Maria Desira, 18 Beverlee Zammit, 16 Alexis Darmanin, 12 Lucienne Bezzina
SUNS: 6 Petra Zammit
REFEREES: Jean Paul Zammit, Alfred Carbonaro
Sliema Wanderers 47
Loyola XI 57
(8-15)(16-10)(14-18)(9-14)
Loyola were boosted by Kerygma’s defeat by Depiro the day before, and their third spot in the standings is now secure. They were given a hard time by Sliema for most of the match, but they came through, as they did against Kerygma. Schembri Wismayer was their focal point, and there were also good performances by Sammy Jo Barbara for Loyola and Francesca Farrugia for Sliema.
Loyola were without Carina Gauci for this match. There was a balanced start, as Loyola first replied to Sliema’s early lead, and Leanne Sciberras did likewise for Sliema, for a 6-6 tie. Then it was Loyola who took over, and an 8-0 run, with a number of free throws, ensured them a first session lead.
Things turned in the second quarter. Sliema pressed from the start. and Francesca Farrugia was the protagonist, as she put in points regularly. Sliema made up the leeway, and twice took a minimal lead. Late in the session. it was Loyola, though, who changed ends in front, at the interval, thanks to a Kathleen Gouder hoop in the last seconds. Score at 25-24.
After the break Loyola increased their lead, with Barbara hoops, but Sliema came right back, with a 7-0 run, as Farrugia was still putting in points. Loyola went into a lead for three times, but they were pulled back every time. Loyola persevered, and Schembri Wismayer was on hand to open up a lead again. With a quarter to go it was 43-38 to Loyola.
They were still in command, and an 8-0 run gave them enough of a lead to control matters. Sliema’s reaction wasn’t so incisive, and they remained at a distance. It was only in the late stages of the match that they managed to put in a rally, and get somewhat nearer, but Loyola could hold out comfortably till the end.
SLIEMA: 18 Francesca Farrugia, 15 Leanne Sciberras
LOYOLA: 20 Sandra Schembri Wismayer, 16 Sammy Jo Barbara, 10 Kathleen Gouder
REFEREES: Bernard Vassallo, Jennifer Mangani
Kerygma 37
Depiro 60
(6-14)(8-8)(13-15)(10-23)
Depiro had sweet revenge on their first round defeat, in the only game they had faced Kerygma so far this season. Although they were always in the lead it was a good break at the start of the last session that left Kerygma with a mountain to climb.
Depiro’s second place in the standings is now assured, with a couple of games to spare.
Depiro fielded the same side that lost to Hibs in the K.O. final, with the exception of Rhian Spiteri. They raced into a 7-2 lead, with a Greta Zarb trey. Kerygma recovered to a point down, but Depiro had the better ending to the session, with a 7-0 run, and a Sarah Pace trey.
In the second session Kerygma gave a good account of themselves, as they matched Depiro in points obtained. The latter had their lead to fall back on, but they were unable to increase their advantage. At the halfway stage Depiro were in front, on a low 22-14 score.
After the break there was a good Kerygma start, with an 8-3 run, and a Josette Calleja trey. Depiro settled down, and a 7-0 run, ending with a second Sarah Pace trey, opened up their lead again. Kerygma rallied but they couldn’t get any nearer, as Charlotte Riolo ended the session with a trey, in a five point personal run. Score at 37-27 to Depiro.
In the final quarter, although Kerygma began with an Antida Zammit trey, Depiro had a quick reaction, with an 8-0 run, mostly through Abigail Sciberras’ points. This time there was no Kerygma reply, and they were hit again by Charlotte Riolo’s further treys, in a good 13-1 run. Depiro went completely home and dry, with minutes to spare before the final buzzer. Elaine Cutajar made personal free shots for Kerygma, but they were far behind at the end.
KERYGMA: 13 Josette Calleja, 10 Antida Zammit, 10 Elaine Cutajar
DEPIRO: 17 Abigail Sciberras, 16 Charlotte Riolo, 13 Sarah Pace
REFEREES: Alfred Carbonaro, Jennifer Mangani