St James Hospital 26
Hibs Medsea 73
(6-7)(7-19)(5-30)(8-17)
Hibs could return to winning ways, after their disappointment against Luxol, in the K.O. They took time to impost their superiority, as St James, who had a good game, when they faced Depiro, last weekend, did not repeat their performance, and were dominated as the champions turned on the pressure.
St James still had players on long-term injury or abroad, while Hibs were without Caroline Fenech, also abroad, but Lucienne Bezzina played for the first time, since the birth of her son, last December.
The first quarter was a mediocre one. After Doreen Micallef’s opener for the Paolites, it was the Saints who put in a couple of hoops. Then it was a tale of slipshod passing and poor shooting, before Hibs recovered, with free shots and a solitary basket. They suffered a late hoop, to lead by a single point.
In the second session the champions started well, and a 9-2 run, with a Francesca Bianco trey, gave them a healthier advantage. Sammy Jo Barbara sank a trey for St James, but Lucienne Bezzina went on court for the Paolites, and Hibs combined well, to plant in a 10-0 run. The Saints managed a hoop before the end of the quarter, and at the interval St James had fallen 13-26 behind.
After the break the Saints were overwhelmed, as the champions totted up an 18-0 run, and Kirsten Micallef sank a trio of treys. St James stopped the run, but young Kirsty Tonna had a good time on court for the Paolites, and she enthusiastically put in a double points figure. After three sessions Hibs were high and dry, on a 56-18 score.
In the final quarter the Paolites gave the impression of keeping up their rythym, but they faded off after another Kirsten Micallef trey, allowing St James to manage a small 5-0 run.
The champions then recovered till the end of the match, with an 11-2 run, and a second Bianco trey, to finish on a good note.
St James: 8 Diane Cassar
Hibs: 19 Kirsten Micallef, 11 Francesca Bianco, 10 Kirsty Tonna, 10 Alexis Darmanin
Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Stephen Micallef