The champions passed through a whole phase of play without suffering a defeat, in 12 matches. It was a comprehensive win against a team which is considered as their biggest rivals, in the coming championship pool. This was the last game in the two round league phase, and now the teams will be split up, according to their position in the standings.

Hibs had Lucienne Bezzina, just a spectator on the bench, for the second game running, and Depiro's Joselle Cardona is still waiting to go on court, after her long injury. Rhian Spiteri was also unavailable, but they recovered Abigail Sciberras and Abigail Muscat.

The champions didn't take long to go into a 10-2 opening lead. Depiro rallied, and a Sarah Pace trey helped them to go to a 9-12 score. The Paolites settled down again, and kept their first session advantage, as Depiro tried valiantly to erase their deficit.

In the second quarter, Hibs opened up strongly once more, starting with a B. Zammit trey, and then going on to a sound 16-2 run as new entry, Francesca Tabone, also fired in a trey, and Depiro were left behind.

When other Hibs bench players went on court Depiro tried to capitalise, but Doreen Parnis' free throws prevented them from getting near. At the interval the champions enjoyed a useful 37-23 favourable scoreline.

After the break Bev Zammit came out on fire, and two straight treys, and other free shots in a 10-0 opening run. punished Depiro. When the Mtarfa side started making baskets they found Alexis Darmanin and Doreen Parnis to reply, and keep the Paolites' comfortable lead intact. Depiro only came back in the last minute, sinking treys by Greta Zarb and Sarah Pace with her second. Hibs were still a healthy 60-38 in front, after three sessions.

In the last quarter it was a foregone conclusion. Hibs made a couple of treys more, from Zammit and Tabone once again. Depiro replied through Abigail Muscat, but the gap was too big to make any difference, as the champions strolled through the last moments of the last phase one fixture.

HIBS: 22 Beverlee Zammit, 18 Doreen Parnis, 11 Maria Desira, 10 Alexis Darmanin

DEPIRO: 11 Sarah Pace, 10 Greta Zarb

REFEREES: Jean Paul Sammut, Anthony Micallef

Sliema Wanderers 54

Kerygma 49

(7-13)(20-6)(18-13)(9-17)

Kerygma botched up their opportunity to obtain their best ever placing, before the next phase of play, going down dismally to a sprightly Sliema outfit, who are confirming their progress since the start of the season.

This was Sliema's first victory over Kerygma in three matches, and their best win yet, this season. Kerygma didn't work hard enough, contrary to Sliema's commitment, and their late rally was to no avail.

Sliema had the better opening, going into a 6-2 lead, but Josette Calleja's trey helped Kerygma go in front. A Sliema reply overturned the score, but it was Kerygma who managed to sink three hoops in a row, and enjoy an advantage in the first quarter.

The play turned around in the second session. Kerygma were complacent, and were hit by a good 10-0 Sliema run, as Francesca Farrugia and Leanne Sciberras combined well.

Calleja's free throws stopped the run, but Sliema were still in command, and at the interval they were ahead on a low 27-19 score, as regards Kerygma.

After the break Kerygma were expected to pull up their socks, and get back in the game, but Sliema could match their opponents in the first part of the session.

Although Moira Caruana sank a trey for Kerygma, her side couldn't get any nearer, as Sliema were handling the situation better, with Farrugia exploiting the spaces underneath the board. After three sessions Sliema were in a comfortable 45-32 advantage.

In the final quarter Kerygma were still disjointed, and Sliema could control with ease. The difference in points kept constant, with Kerygma only able to reply to Sliema's hoops, as Chanel Galea was accurate.Kerygma finally made a determined effort, but the treys by Calleja nd Annabel Busuttil, in a game ending 9-1 run, left Kerygma a few points short of stealing the match, and the Sliema youngsters could celebrate their third league win. The two sides will meet again in the Classification Pool, in the next phase.

SLIEMA: 15 Chanel Galea, 14 Francesca Farrugia, 13 Leanne Sciberras,10 Ariana Grixti

KERYGMA: 23 Josette Calleja

REFEREES: Bernard Vassallo, Jennifer Mangani

Luxol 54

Loyola Xuereb Ins. 42

(13-11)(19-10)(15-11)(7-10)

Luxol were already assured of the fourth place in the final standings of the first phase.

They had only met Loyola once before this season, going down by six points, and this time Luxol were the better side, and fully deserved their victory.

After some valid performances in these last few games, Loyola were a somewhat opaque side, and missed the guiding hand of coach Sandro Farrugia and the steadying influence of Sandra Schembri Wismayer, who could only give moral support from the bench. Luxol had Emma Moore out injured, and Dawn Spiteri missing.

The two teams took time to settle down, and it was after some minutes that Luxol went into the first lead, but Loyola tied the score, at 7-7, with a Sammy Jo Barbara trey. Lara Chetcuti used her height well, as she put the Violets once more in front, and they kept their advantage till the end of the session, as Denise Hollier grabbed a last hoop for Loyola.

In the second quarter, Loyola went to within a point of their opponents on three occasions, at the start. Luxol gradually took the upper hand, and Loyola's defence left much to be desired, as Luxol made a long 13-2 run, till nearly the end of the session, before Kathleen Gouder could stop the Violets, seconds from the interval. Luxol were 32-21 in front.

After the break Luxol improved on their lead, mostly through free throws, but Loyola replied in an efficient manner.

They were still hampered by a Kirsten Micallef trey, but Barbara made her second trey for Loyola, just seconds later. Mandy Sciortino put in another trey for Luxol, late in the session, and Loyola fell further behind. After three sessions it was a 47-32 score for the Violets.

In the final quarter Luxol sought to control the game, and they managed to do this without any undue hassle, as Loyola were not at their best.

It was a low score session, with Loyola only able to reply to Luxol's points. The game petered out at the end, with the result in no doubt. As it is, Loyola will be contesting the Championship Pool, at a distance from the other two protagonists, Hibs and Depiro. Luxol will be in the Classification Pool, leading on points, from the other three teams.

LUXOL: 12 Amanda Sciortino, 12 Lara Chetcuti

LOYOLA: 12 Adalia Bonanno, 12 Sammy Jo Barbara

REFEREES: Emanuel Mangani, Alfred Carbonaro