Hibs’ stranglehold over this competition is over. After a staggering eight years in lifting the Cup, Hibs had to bow out of the competition, losing in overtime, after holding a a seemingly unsurmountable lead at the start of the last session.

The champions were shocked into submission by a Luxol grand rally, led imperiously by ex-Hibs star, Beverlee Zammit, who cowed her adversaries into submission, as she literally dragged her team back in the game, and then applied the finishing touch in the extra period.

Hibs had Caroline Fenech on the bench, but didn’t make use of the player, and likewise, Luxol’s Justine Mangion.

Luxol made a dream start against the champions, running into an 11-1 lead, as the Paolites continually failed their shots.

Midway through the session Kirsten Micallef picked her team mates up, and Hibs made a 7-0 run, to get back into the match. A Mandy Sciortino hoop, before the end of the session, added on to Luxol’s lead.

In the second quarter

Kirsten Micallef kept up her momentum, and two treys in a row, with an added hoop, for an 8-0 personal run, put the champions ahead, at 16-13. Luxol rallied back, and an 8-0 run, starting with an Emma Moore trey, and ending with a Bev Zammit trey, restored the Violets’ advantage. Hibs replied with a couple of hoops, but Luxol were just ahead at the interval, on a slim 21-20 score.

After the break the game took another turn. Hibs jumped into the lead, thanks to Doreen Micallef’s hoops, but Bev Zammit replied for Luxol, with her second trey.

Kirsten Micallef promptly put in her third trey for Hibs. Luxol recovered twice more, but towards the end of the session the champions combined beautifully, turning on the style with a strong 15-0 run, as Maria Desira punished Luxol’s weak defence.

After three sessions it was Hibs on a comfortable 46-32 lead.

Luxol made a gritty start, with a third Zammit trey, and a long 13-2 run, ending with a further Zammit trey, put the Violets on a 45-48 score.

Hibs recovered, but Zammit was still sinking her treys, and Luxol tied the score, with a Lara Chetcuti hoop. Emma Moore put the Violets ahead, but Francesca Bianco’s free throws put the match into overtime.

Bev Zammit took the game on her shoulders, sinking a further two treys, and this time Hibs were unable to crawl back.

Luxol put in further points, to make the game more secure, and the Paolites had to bow out of this competition, which they came to call their own.

Hibs: 18 Maria Desira, 17 Kirsten Micallef

Luxol: 32 Beverlee Zammit, 11 Emma Moore

Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Clive Terribile

* * *

Depiro 51

St James Hospital 37

(19-10)(15-9)(8-14)(9-4)

Depiro didn’t have it all their own way, as they disposed of St James, in their second seasonal win over the Saints. The latter provided good opposition, although they trailed for the whole duration of the match. Depiro’s win was marred by the injury to Rhian Spiteri, after she had barely recovered from another long-term injury, and after being on court for only a short while.

Depiro had Sarah Pace injured from their last match, and St James also had Beverie Sultana injured, and Ann Camilleri abroad, on long term work.

Depiro began in a convincing manner, with a 7-2 run, as Rachel Camilleri put in her points. The Saints replied, although they were hit by a Charlotte Riolo trey, and went 10-12 behind. Depiro dominated till the end of the session, and a 7-0 run opened up their lead.

In the second quarter St James pulled back a couple of hoops, but Joselle Cardona and Camilleri helped Depiro to pull away once more, as St James found a tough defence to thwart them.

Depiro first held out, and then added on a brace of hoops, for good measure. At the interval they enjoyed a good 34-19 advantage, but their attention was also on Rhian Spiteri injured at the bench.

After the break Depiro didn’t recapture their former rhythm, but managed to reply to St James’ hoops at firSt the Saints made a short three hoop burst, to get closer, but Depiro stopped them with a couple of hoops.

St James replied likewise, and after three sessions a 42-33 score favoured Depiro.

In the last quarter play was fast, but inconclusive. Both sides were guilty of slipshod play and missed opportunities.

Depiro lasted the game better, as they opened their lead with a 6-2 run, and Cardona put in her hoops from the edge of the zone.

St James replied but they were nowhere near their adversaries, and Depiro could play with their minds at rest, as they made their sixth final, and will meet Luxol for the third honour of the season.

Depiro: 18 Joselle Cardona, 13 Rachel Camilleri

St James: 11 Adalia Bonanno, 8 Denise Hollier

Referees: Stephen Micallef, Jennifer Mangani