Hibs Medsea 41
Depiro 46
(6-5)(8-16)(16-11)(11-14)
Maybe Hibs had forgotten when they had last tasted defeat, but they were brought down to earth by a tactically well prepared Depiro side, who stuck close to mark the champions’ dangerous players, and were successful in their task.
This win dents Loyola’s aspirations, but raises Depiro’s hopes for a final place. The Paolites, who already are assured of a final berth, will still have to do some rethinking, after this setback.
Nadia Mifsud was back from abroad for the champions, but she stayed on the bench and was not utilised in the match.
The game had a quiet start, with tight marking on Hibs’ Doreen Parnis and Beverlee Zammit, now that Lucienne Bezzina will not play for Hibs, as she is in the family way.
The Paolites opened up a 6-1 lead, with Zammit putting her points in, but it didn’t stay long that way. Depiro rallied in the last stages, and a Sarah Pace trey helped in a tight, low score between these two rival teams.
In the second session it was Depiro who took the upper hand. With a hesitant Paola side in front of them, they ran up a good 11-3 break, only being foiled by a Beverlee Zammit trey.
On Depiro’s side it was Sarah Pace’s second trey, as her side went 16-9 in front. The champions had a brief recovery, cutting down on their deficit, but Abigail Sciberras’ entry on court produced points, and at the interval it was Depiro on a low, 21-14 lead.
After the break it was Rachel Camilleri who kept her adversaries at a distance, as she started with a trey, then put in more hoops.
Hibs began to come back into the picture, as Alexis Darmanin found her scoring touch. Depiro’s lead began to dwindle, and after three sessions there was only a basket difference, on a 32-30 Depiro advantage.
In the final quarter the game livened up more. Hibs jumped into the lead, but it was shortlived, as Depiro replied with a third Pace trey, going 38-34 in front.
The Paolites tied the score, but Depiro were playing confidently, and despite a Doreen Parnis trey for Hibs, Depiro made an 8-3 run, this time with a Greta Zarb trey, to ward off the champions’ last frantic efforts, and record their first victory over the Paolites this season after six defeats.
HIBS: 15 Alexis Darmanin
DEPIRO: 12 Sarah Pace, 11 Rachel Camilleri, 11 Greta Zarb
REFEREES: Alfred Carbonaro, Anthony Micallef
Standings: 26 Hibs Medsea, 23 Depiro, 21 Loyola Xuereb Installations
Peugeot Classification Pool
Sliema Wanderers 64
SN Suns JC 25
(17-6)(15-10)(16-5)(16-4)
Sliema kept up their good record against the Suns, getting their third victory in three games. They also left Suns stranded at the bottom of the standings. Suns had only six players on their team sheet, and they had to struggle for most of the match. As it is all the games are uphill for this Suns side.
Sliema couldn’t have started better, and an opening 15-0 run, with Leanne Sciberras and Lonike Calleja the protagonists, set the tone of the match. Suns recovered near the end of the session, and a couple of Diane Falzon hoops in the last seconds brought them some consolation.
In the second quarter Suns were more competitive, and they went to an 11-19 score. Sliema settled down again, and made an 11-1 run, to go clear once more. Suns managed to share the rest of the session, but their deficit had already grown, and at the interval Sliema enjoyed a 32-16 advantage.
The third session, after the break, was another harrowing time for Suns. They did manage a Falzon trey, but the rest of the quarter was Sliema’s, as they ran up another 11-0 break, and Ariana Grixti was active from close range. With a session to go it was 48-21 for Sliema.
The final quarter found Suns foul hit, and they soon lost their top scorer Falzon.
Sliema built up a 14-1 run, as Suns couldn’t defend to their limit. The efforts on both sides started to die down, and so did the points, as the game petered away to a tame end, with Sliema winning their first match in this phase.
SLIEMA: 23 Leanne Sciberras, 11 Lonike Calleja
SUNS: 11 Diane Falzon
REFEREES: Emanuel Mangani, Joe Borg
Luxol 54
Kerygma 23
(18-4)(7-9)(15-3)(14-7)
Luxol have practically made sure of winning this category, gaining their third seasonal victory over Kerygma, in four matches. It was a surprisingly easy win, and more was expected from Kerygma.
A good opening ensured Luxol’s command, and the third session, after the interval, sealed Kerygma’s fate, as they dropped sadly behind.
After a quiet start Luxol took the first lead, going 9-1 ahead, with a Psaila Savona trey. Kerygma’s reply wasn’t so proficient, and Luxol increased their lead, with a Mandy Sciortino trey, as they pulled clear of their opponenets, at an early stage.
In the second quarter the points were difficult to come by. Play was even, and midway through the session Josette Calleja finally sank a trey.
This was followed at the other end, as Kirsten Micallef did the same. Till the end of the quarter only a single free throw was registered, and at the interval Luxol held a 25-13 advantage.
After the break Kerygma were brushed aside, as Luxol proceeded to put in a long 13-0 run, till late in the quarter.
Kerygma could only reply through Calleja’s points, but they were facing a heavy deficit. After three sessions the Violets were on a large 40-16 advantage.
In the final session Luxol were still piercing Kerygma’s defence continually. A 10-0 run, with a second Micallef trey, highlighted their dominance.
Kerygma had a brief response, and a 7-0 run, with a second Calleja trey, stopped Luxol’s point grabbing. The Violets ended the match with a couple more hoops, for a satisfying performance.
LUXOL: 10 Emma Moore, 10 Justine Mangion
KERYGMA: 14 Josette Calleja
REFEREES: Alfred Carbonaro, Clive Terribile