Hibs Medsea 46

Depiro 52

(12-10)(8-12)(11-14)(15-16)

The first blood went to Depiro, as they held leads throughout the match, but were in arrears midway through the last quarter. However, a grand finish, on a 12-0 run, sealed the game in their favour.

This win puts the two sides on an even four wins for each team in eight encounters. The two sides beat each other in two other honours, and Depiro also won a further honour, after beating Luxol.

The stage is now set for the second match, as Depiro seek a quick match winning league title after just two games, and Hibs try to recover and force the deciding third encounter.

Depiro had Joselle Cardona putting in two hoops in the initial stages, and she continued with more points in the following minutes, but Maria Desira started the Paolites off. Then it was Kirsten Micallef with her trey, to tie at 6-6.

Micallef and Desira put the champions in front, and they held the lead till the end of the quarter, also spurning a chance to improve their lead, missing a couple of free shots at spent time.

In the second session Hibs added on to their lead on more than one occasion, but Sarah Pace was Depiro’s reply, and her hoops and trey kept her team just behind the Paolites. In the latter stages it was Rachel Camilleri who helped the Mtarfa side to forge in front. The Paolites lost their bearings in attack, and Depiro went into half time on a slim 22-20 lead.

After the break Depiro extended their advantage, with treys by Greta Zarb and Edwina Vella. Depiro went on to a 31-24 lead, but the champions picked themselves up, and free throws pushed them to within a point.

Depiro stopped the sequence with a Rachel Camilleri trey, and the same player went into her opponents’ zone, to gain a 36-31 advantage, with a session to go.

Both teams failed to find the net at first, but it was Kirsten Micallef, with her second trey, who began a 7-0 run, putting the Paolites in front. Depiro rallied, to go ahead, at 39-38.

The champions had Doreen Micallef to sink a couple of hoops at a crucial time, and Hibs went on an 8-1 run, and a good 46-40 lead. Those were their last points, as Greta Zarb sank her second trey, and Sarah pace’s points resulted in a strong run.

Hibs fell behind once more, and their final efforts to gain possession were to no avail. Depiro made some free shots, to pull clear enough, win the match, and make the first inroad to the league title.

Hibs: 2 C. Fenech, K. Tonna, F. Bianco, 8 L. Bezzina, F. Tabone, 10 M. Desira, 6 D. Micallef, 6 A. Darmanin, 4 N. Mifsud, 8 K. Micallef, 2 M. Cutajar

Depiro: R. Debono, C. Riolo, 21 S. Pace, 8 J. Cardona, K. Busuttil, 9 R. Camilleri, 8 G. Zarb, J. Busuttil Gaerty, 3 A. Sciberras, 3 E. Vella

Refs: Emanuel Mangani, Clive Terribile.