Depiro had to be on their toes, to inflict another defeat on Sliema, their third one this season.
Sliema are slowly becoming a difficult team to beat, and are a different side from the one that started the season. Depiro are still in difficulties to make up the number of players in the side, and this is hampering their style of play.
With other players out for some time, Depiro had Abigail Sciberras missing for this match. They had to suffer a good Sliema opening, and an 8-3 run, but then the Mtarfa side held command for some time.
A 7-0 run helped them to end the first session on a tied scoreline.
In the second quarter Sliema were still at close quarters. A Greta Zarb trey for Depiro inspired them, and an 8-0 run gave them a double figure lead, which they held till the the interval, and Sliema had to be content with a 16-26 adverse score.
After the break Sliema put in a good spurt, and soon after the start they managed an 8-0 run, as Leanne Sciberras led her team to 26-30 down.
Depiro recovered and Rachel Camilleri’s fast breaks pushed her side to their former lead. Sliema could only fractionally reduce their deficit, and after three sessions Depiro were 40-32 in front.
In the final quarter Sliema went near again, to trouble their opponents, but Depiro quickly took control, and their fast breaks once more were instrumental in preventing Sliema from creeping near again. Camilleri went on making points, as Depiro went clear, to post their ninth league victory.
DEPIRO: 28 Rachel Camilleri, 9 Greta Zarb
SLIEMA: 20 Leanne Sciberras
REFEREES: Alfred Carbonaro, Joe Borg
SN Suns JC 17
Luxol 65
(4-16)(5-17)(8-16)(0-16)
Luxol had no difficulty in obtaining their third seasonal victory, and their fifth league win, against a Suns side which gallantly strove on, playing for the love of the game.
It was the last game for Suns in the first phase, and now they go to the Classification pool, with the same Luxol, Kerygma and Sliema Wanderers.
Luxol started with most of their bench players on court. Emma Moore made personal points, including a trey, and for the rest of the session Ruth Spiteri and Julienne Attard took over, as the Violets went clear of Suns, who found difficulty from the beginning.
In the second session Luxol changed their players, and Suns were still on the receiving end. A long 13-2 run saw Suns still struggling for points, and it was Ann Marie Battari who made the hoops for them. In the latter stages Luxol’s points came from Psaila Savona, as they ended the quarter on a 33-9 interval score.
After the break Luxol were still in control, but there was some laxity in their defence, and Suns could take the opportunity to sink some hoops, through Diane Falzon and Petra Zammit.
Luxol kept up their regular scoring rate, and Emma Moore and Julienne Attard grabbed most of the points. After three sessions it was 49-17 for the Violets.
Luxol were dominant in the final quarter, as Suns were having difficulty in controlling their opponents. This time it was Justine Mangion and Psaila Savona who were making the steals and hoops. Suns were left pointless in this last session, as Luxol strolled through.
SUNS: 6 Petra Zammit, 6 Diane Falzon
LUXOL: 13 Emma Moore, 12 Francesca Psaila Savona, 12 Ruth Spiteri, 11 Julienne Attard
REFEREES: Anthony Micallef, Jennifer Mangani
Loyola Xuereb Installations 38
Hibs Medsea 71
(8-24)(7-13)(13-14)(10-20)
Hibs collected their third win over Loyola this season, and once more it was a comfortable victory. The Paolites went in front straight from the start, and never looked back. Loyola always had an uphill task, and Hibs’ efficient outfit do not seem to have any trouble in obtaining points, whatever the opposition.
The champions had captain Lucienne Bezzina out with a shoulder injury.
Loyola had difficulty against Hibs from the start, as they fell 2-11 behind, with Bev Zammit claiming her first trey. Loyola’s points were few and far between, as Hibs kept piling up the score. Alexis Darmanin and Zammit were having a good shooting time, the latter also sinking her second trey, as Loyola kept falling further behind.
In the second quarter Hibs were still finding the way to the basket and Francesca Bianco also sank a trey, but this time Loyola had a reply. Midway through the session the Paolites put in a further three hoops in a row, but the scoring died away from then on.
Loyola didn’t grasp the opportunity, and only managed to add a free shot till the end of the session, as Hibs led 37-15 at the interval.
After the break Hibs found Loyola a tougher proposition, as the latter posted a 9-4 run. The champions settled down into their forceful game, and they went on till the end of the quarter, in a long 10-2 run, that saw Loyola fall far behind. After three sessions Hibs were 51-28 in front.
In the final session the champions kept up their pressing, and Zammit sank her third trey. Hibs’ lead was always constant as the minutes ticked away. Ann Camilleri managed to put in a trey for Loyola, but the Paolites had a ready answer, with Zammit’s fourth trey, in an 8-1 run late in the game, as Lyola kept on valiantly trying against superior opposition.
LOYOLA: 12 Adalia Bonanno, 8 Denise Hollier
HIBS: 20 Beverlle Zammit, 15 Doreen Parnis, 13 Maria Desira, 11 Alexis Darmanin
REFEREES: Emanuel Mangani, Stephen Micallef
Standings: 22 Hibs Medeas (11-0), 20 Depiro (9-2), 18 Loyola Xuereb Installations (7-4), 16 Luxol (5-6), 16 Kerygma (5-6), 13 Sliema Wanderers (2-9), 12 SN Suns JC (0-12)