WILLIE VASSALLO

Luxol became the third different team to win an honour this season, after Hibs’ Shield victory and Depiro’s Super Cup win. Luxol had a grand second final, establishing their grip on the match from early on.

They managed to increase their lead with every session played, and then shut out Depiro in the final two minutes, after an adverse rub against them. Depiro disappointed in their play, as they were unable to find any solutions to overturn the result.

Luxol thus won this honour for the first time, after two lost finals against the same Depiro, in 2003 and 2004.

Luxol put in a quick Psaila Savona hoop at the start, and although Greta Zarb tied for Depiro, it was Mandy Sciortino, with her three hoops, in an 8-2 run, to put the Violets on a real lead. Sciortino then went on the bench, and Depiro recovered a little till the end of the quarter, to cut down their deficit, to a three-point margin.

In the second quarter Luxol once more extended their lead, to a 15-7 score, but Depiro pressed their adversaries, and their free shots made the score a closer one. Psaila savona replied with a trey for Luxol, and then it was Emma Moore, with two quick fast breaks, to put Luxol on a sound footing. Depiro stopped the sequence, but at the interval they were still 16-24 behind.

After the break it was Joselle Cardona who provided the points for Depiro, from the zone, but Luxol had Sciortino sinking a trey, and a 9-2 run put them clear, on a substantial lead. Depiro didn’t really recover, and the Violets pushed their lead further. After three sessions they enjoyed a strong 38-22 advantage, despite foul trouble.

In the final quarter Depiro went out on press, and Luxol had to bear out. It was Cardona and Camilleri who made a 9-4 run for Depiro, as players started being fouled out. Depiro’s frantic play produced a 10-1 run, to give them a glimmer of hope, but this was dashed out, as Luxol calmly played possession, to deny Depiro till the end, and lay their hands on a trophy, after son many seasons empty handed.

After the match President Emeritus, Louis Borg, presented medals and trophies to both sides, as Luxol celebrated their victory.

Depiro: R. Debono. C. Riolo, 4 S. Pace, 18 J. Cardona, K. Busuttil, 7 R. Camilleri, 3 G. Zarb,J. Busuttil Gready, 2 A. Sciberras, E. Vella, R. Spiteri

Luxol: 9 E. Moore, 15 M. Sciortino, N. Said, 10 F. Psaila Savona, R. Naudi, R. Spiteri, J. Mangion, D. Spiteri, 3 D. Muscat, L. Chetcuti, J. Attard, 6 B. Zammit

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Clive Terribile