Hibs' stranglehold on the honours list was prised open by an efficient Depiro side, who overcame a jittery start, contrary to previous matches.

This was their first honour in two seasons, and they very nearly saw it all slip away, after losing a lead in the last minute of the game.

They managed to make the telling points, to forget their mental block against the champions, and lay their hands on the trophy, for the fourth time. All these successes were against the same Paolites.

The champions went off to a solid start, as Alexis Darmanin and Doreen Micallef pushed their side to an 8-2 advantage.

When Depiro got off their initial shock they began to put things together, and ended the session on a good 9-0 run, with Rhian Spiteri active in the paint, as the Mtarfa outfit went in the lead.

In the second quarter it was a more balanced affair. The Paolites made up the deficit, and with Kirsten Micallef nailing a trey and a hoop, they took a slight 16-15 advantage. Depiro hit back, and with Abigail Sciberras making points in the zone, they kept their lead till the end of the session, despite Micallef's free throw. Halftime at a low 19-17 score.

After the break Sciberras' free shots extended Depiro's lead, but the champions struck back, and they managed to tie the score on two occasions, but they were finding it difficult to enter their opponents' zone. Greta Zarb came up with her points for Depiro, as her side went in front again. After three sessions it was a 28-24 score.

In the final quarter Sarah Pace's trey started off an 8-2 run, ending with a Zarb trey, as Depiro went into a double figure lead, at 35-25. The Paolites were in difficulties, but Kirsten Micallef dragged them back with her second trey, and this started off a fine comeback, as Hibs dug into their resources, and came up with a strong 11-0 run, as Micallef put in her third trey, to grab the lead with half a minute to go. With seconds remaining it was Depiro to fling forward, and Sciberras' hoop and free shot sealed the match, as Depiro prevented the champions from making a final try.

After the match Depiro's Charlotte Riolo received the trophy from the MBA vice president, Ottavio Terribile.

Hibs: 9 C. Fenech, K. Tonna, F. Bianco, F. Tabone, 1 M. Desira, 6 D. Micallef, 8 A. Darmanin, N. Mifsud, 14 K. MIcallef, M. Cutajar

Depiro: R. Debono, C. Riolo, 9 S. Pace, 3 J. Cardona, K. Busuttil, 4 R. Camilleri, 7 G. Zarb, J. Busuttil Gready, 11 A. Sciberras, E. Vella, 5 R. Spiteri,

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Jean Paul Sammut