Having assured themselves of a place in the final, the Paolites put in a polished and relaxed performance, as they routed Depiro who, on their part, had one of their worst matches.
It was Depiro who had to force the result of the game, and break clear of Luxol, just behind them in the standings, but they faced a confident side, who struggled a little at first, but then dictated most of the play, to run out unexpected easy winners.
As usual both sides were very wary of each other, and points were hard to come by. When they arrived it was treys all the way. Hibs’ Doreen Micallef and Kirsten Micallef started the ball rolling, and Greta Zarb replied for Depiro. The scoring fell below par again, as Hibs extended their lead, then Depiro went close once more. Hibs ended the quarter on a four point advantage.
In the second session Rachel Camilleri’s points gave Depiro a lead, but the Paolites returned with a solid 10-1 run, ending with a Francesca Tabone trey. Charlotte Riolo also sank a trey for Depiro, but the champions increased their advantage, and despite Joselle Cardona’s entry and free shots for Depiro, at the halftime buzzer it was Hibs on a 24-17 lead.
After the break the Paolites made a good opening, with treys by Doreen Micallef and Kirsten Micallef, both their second, in an 8-2 run. Depiro tried to recover, going to 22-32 down, but Maria Desira made close range hoops in a three basket run, and the champions completed a 12-2 run, as they went completely clear. After three sessions they were 44-25 in front.
In the final quarter Depiro weren’t that much inspired, and although they managed to cut down their deficit, the champions were always in command. Depiro put in a late 8-2 run, to make the score more respectable, but the Paolites had no worries, whereas Depiro are still looking behind them, at Luxol, only a point behind.
Depiro: 15 Rachel Camilleri, 7 Joselle Cardona
Hibs: 16 Doreen Micallef, 10 Kirsten Micallef, 8 Maria Desira
Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Stephen Micallef
Standings
29 Hibs Medsea; 23 Depiro; 22 Luxol (-1)
* * *
Kerygma 41
St. James Hospital 38
(12-9)(6-8)(13-11)(10-10)
Kerygma came right back into contention, and opened the Plate Pool issue wide open, as three teams are now with an equal chance of finishing on top, at the end of the games.
Both sides had their moments, and a good number of treys were registered by both sides. When St. James looked to have made it, there was Josette Calleja to give the spoils to Kerygma, and ignite their hopes once more, of a top placing.
Kerygma were the team with the better start, putting in a 7-0 run, through Josette Calleja and Elaine Cutajar.
St. James settled down to post a 9-2 run of their own, with an Annabel Busuttil trey. This tied the score, but right at the end of the quarter it was Lara Cauchi with a last second trey, for a Keryma advantage.
In the second session, after a further Kerygma hoop, St. James took command of the match, and an 8-0 run, ending with a Denise Hollier trey, put Kerygma in arrears. This didn’t last long, as Moira Caruana sank a trey, to restore Kerygma’s advantage. The score remained the same till the interval buzzer, on a low 18-17 Kerygma lead.
After the break St. James replied to Kerygma’s opening hoops, with treys by Hollier and Sammy Jo Barbara, as they went in front. Kerygma did not hold back, and Moira Caruana sank her second trey. Not to be outdone, Lara Cauchi put in two more treys, and Kerygma swept into the lead, although in between St. James managed to level the score. After three sessions Kerygma were 31-28 ahead.
In the final quarter, after an early Kerygma hoop, St. James took control, and a strong 10-0 run which ended with an Ann Camilleri trey, gave the Saints a 38-33 lead.
Those were the last points they made, as Kerygma came right back, and Josette Mifsud, out of the trey grabbing group, left it right to the end. A personal eight point run, including two of her specials, gave Kerygma the match, to overhaul the Saints in the standings.
Kerygma: 16 Josette Calleja, 9 Lara Cauchi, 8 Elaine Cutajar
St. James: 15 Denise Hollier, 7 Ann Camilleri, 7 Sammy Jo Barbara
Referees: Alfred Carbonaro, Jennifer Mangani
* * *
SN Suns JC 36
Sliema Wanderers 52
(9-18)(6-11)(8-10)(13-13)
Sliema returned to winning ways, and went back to the top of the table, as they disposed of Suns, for the fifth time this season.
A good first quarter gave Sliema the necessary start to a comfortable match, as they increased their lead with each successive session. Despite the defeat Suns seemed to be satisfied with the result, which was their best ever, in their games against Sliema.
Suns kept pace with their opponents at the start, with Diane Falzon hoops, whilst Leanne Sciberras replied for Sliema, in a 6-6 score. Then the Wanderers took over, and an 8-0 run, with more Sciberras points, to establish a lead, which they kept till the end of the quarter, with Suns having a reply in the late stages.
In the second session Sliema increased their advantage at first, but midway through the session it was Suns who reduced their deficit.
Sliema took over once more, and prevented Suns from adding on to their score. A three basket spread, late in the quarter, gave the Wanderers a 29-15 lead at the interval.
After the break the game was more balanced. Suns were sharing the play with their adversaries, and also managed to draw a little bit closer. Sliema once more denied Suns any points till the end of the session also, and with a quarter to go they were leading 39-23, after adding on a couple of hoops.
In the final quarter Sliema relaxed their hold, and permitted their opponents to be more adventurous. Suns in fact managed to make a 7-0 run, before Sliema could take control again, and go back to their original lead. They relied on fast breaks to open up their advantage once more, and finish up confident winners.
Suns: 11 Diane Falzon, 10 Doris Bonello
Sliema: 22 Leanne Sciberras, 11 Chanel Galea, 10 Dana McKeon
Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Clive Terribile
Standings
22 Sliema Wanderers; 20 Kerygma (-1); 20 St. James Hospital (-1); 12 SN Suns JC