Depiro 38

Hibs Medsea 54

(8-4)(9-14)(11-17)(10-19)

Hibs retained the Shield, one of five honours won last season, in an en plein. They won it for the eighth time in 14 finals. At first it didn’t point that way, as Hibs could find no way past a tight Depiro defence. The Paolites fell behind, but late in the second quarter they started their way back, and in the last two sessions it was a supreme Maria Desira who stamped her authority in the match. Depiro could have fared better, but they didn’t keep up the same style of play, and let Hibs get back in the game.

It was a tense game at the start, with both teams too preoccupied with each other. Half the session had passed before Greta Zarb made a Depiro hoop, after numerous mistakes at both ends. The champions tied soon after, but Depiro forged ahead once more. It was still mistakes galore, as Depiro held on to their lead till the end of the quarter, on a ridiculous low score, but merit must be given to Depiro’s tight defence, which prevented Hibs from any zone play and flowing passes.

In the second session Depiro were still holding the edge. A Zarb trey started them off, for a 13-4 lead, before the Paolites began to rally back, after a number of changes on court.

Depiro hit back again, with a couple of hoops, but Hibs were playing with more confidence. They made up a 10-0 run, which went on till the end of the quarter, and also enabled them to overturn the score for the first time. Hibs had a low 18-17 favourable score at the interval.

After the break the Paolites kept up their momentum. Depiro felt the effects of losing a good lead, and the champions began with an 11-2 run, as Maria Desira began to open up Depiro’s defence, and Francesca Tabone took up the ball handling role. Depiro replied with a Charlotte Riolo trey, but Desira was stealing balls and making lay ups, as Depiro fell further behind.

They managed a second Zarb trey before the end of the quarter, for a 35-28 Hibs lead.

In the final session Desira’s continuous points gave the champions a double figure lead. Depiro fought back gamely with a trio of hoops, at 34-39 behind, but Tabone’s trey, for Hibs, restored their advantage.

Both sides lost players on fouls, as the clock went down, but Depiro were in no state to make strong comeback. Hibs could easily control the rest of the match, to emerge victorious, and continue where they left off last season.

Depiro: R. Debono, 4 C. Riolo, 2 S. Pace, 11 J. Cardona, K. Busuttil, R. Camilleri, 15 G. Zarb, J. Busuttil Gready, 4 A. Sciberras, E. vella, R. Spiteri, 2 A. Muscat

Hibs: 4 C. Fenech, K. Tonna, F. Bianco, 5 F. Tabone, 26 M. Desira, 10 D. Parnis, 2 A. Darmanin, 2 N. Mifsud, 5 K. Micallef, M. Cutajar

Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Clive Terribile