Hibs bounced back from their defeat by Depiro a few days ago, to make sure of finishing in top place before the Play Off final. The win also served as a morale booster. All is still not lost for Loyola, who can still make the final, providing they can beat Depiro again in their last match of the group, though Depiro will still have to meet the Paolites, and recuperate a possible loss against Loyola.

Although the match had a quiet start, the champions went into a 7-1 lead. Loyola started to get into the game, but Hibs answered back, and treys by Francesca Bianco and Bev Zammit pushed them into a good, first session lead, as Loyola had difficulty at the end, in obtaining points.

In the second quarter the Paolites found Loyola sharing the play with them at the start. As time wore on, and with Hibs putting in more bench players on court, they dominated the proceedings, and a long 11-0 run, with a Francesca Tabone trey, was only stopped in the last seconds, by a hurried Abigail Azzopardi hoop. At the interval Loyola had fallen 13-31 behind.

After the break the scoring rate fell away at the Paolites’ end. After suffering an early hoop, they did manage an 8-0 run, to steer well clear of their adversaries. They then failed to put in another point, and Loyola found space to finish off the quarter with a 7-0 run, and a Sammy Jo Barbara trey. After three sessions Hibs were still 39-22 ahead.

The final quarter was an open one, with Hibs confident of a positive result. Points swung from end to end, as Alexis Darmanin grabbed the Paolites' baskets, and helped later on by Marilou Cutajar. Schembri Wismayer and Adalia Bonanno were active in the other zone. The match ended with a trey by Denise Hollier, with the champions content with a win, and Loyola looking ahead to their encounter with Depiro.

HIBS: 14 Alexis Darmanin, 9 Doreen Parnis

LOYOLA: 9 Adalia Bonanno

REFEREES: Emanuel Mangani, Clive Terribile* * *

Sliema Wanderers 32

Kerygma 40

(6-8)(10-12)(5-10)(11-10)

Kerygma had the better of Sliema for the fourth time in five encounters this season, and kept on chasing Luxol. Points were hard to come as both teams failed to reach double figures in their scoring in the first quarter.

In the second quarter it was Sliema who had the better start, and Francesca Farugia’s points in a 10-4 run put them ahead. On their part Kerygma had Elaine Cutajar in good form, and coupled by Renette Debono, it was their side who went back in front, ending on an 8-0 run till the interval. A 20-16 halftime score favoured Kerygma.

After the break Cutajar was still putting in the points, and a further 10-1 run extended Kerygma’s lead. Near the end of the quarter it was Francesca Farrugia, with her two hoops, the second one in the very last second, who reduced Kerygma’s advantage somewhat, for a 30-21 score.

In the last session it was a case of Kerygma adding on to their lead, with Sliema replying to every hoop suffered. Kerygma's lead remained constant, and as the time wound down they opted for long possession, denying Sliema any opportunity to get near enough and steal the match.

SLIEMA: 14 Francesca Farrugia, 9 Leanne Sciberras

KERYGMA: 19 Elaine Cutajar, 9 Renette Debono

REFEREES: Stephen Micallef, Alfred Carbonaro