Luxol and the champions faced each other in the first match of their group.

Luxol fielded the same side as last season, with the exception of the injured Beverlee Zammit. The Paolites made two new acquisitions, in Joselle Cardona and Diane Cassar, retaining all their other players, with Francesca Bianco likely to miss out on games, through her studies.

The Violets netted in the first seconds, with Psaila Savona's free throws, but Hibs slotted in their treys in a row, by Kerstin Micallef and a Lucienne Bezzina couple.

Luxol stopped the run, to produce a 9-0 break of their own. The champions were rattled, and did not have a ready reply, as they trailed till the end of the opening session.

A second Micallef trey for Hibs was replied to by Mandi Sciortino for Luxol as the second quarter started. Luxol held on to their lead, at 20-16, but the champions began to gain ground as time passed.

Bezzina's points earned them a lead, but the Violets promptly drew level. The Paolites persisted, and they enjoyed a small 26-23 lead at halftime, despite Psaila Savona's points for Luxol.

After the interval Luxol started to lose touch. Kerstin Micallef began by sinking in two more treys, against her old club, as Hibs completed an 8-0 run.

Luxol's only reply for this quarter consisted of a brace of Psaila Savona free shots, but the champions took over once more, and edged further away from their adversaries. After three sessions they were 41-25 in the lead.

The last quarter was slightly more open, as the Paolites craved out an 8-2 opening run, but the Violets put in a couple of hoops. Hibs did not relinquish their heavy advantage, and kept their opponents at a respectable distance, despite Luxol's endeavours to get back in the game. The champions cruised through, although failing some good chances under the boards, but their lead was never in doubt.

Luxol: 2 E. Moore, 9 M. Sciortino, N. Said, 20 F. Psaila Savona, R. Naudi, R. Spiteri, J. Mangion, 4 D. Spiteri, D. Muscat, L. Chetcuti, J. Attard

Hibs: 5 C. Fenech, D. Cassar, 18 L. Bezzina, F. tabone, 4 M. Desira, 1 D. Micallef, 6 A. Darmanin, 4 N. Mifsud, 14 K. Micallef, 6 J. Cardona, M. Cutajar

Referees: Stephen Micallef, Alfred Carbonaro

Empire Stunners 28

Depiro 77

(2-14)(8-24)(9-22)(9-17)

Group B

Depiro started off the season with a hefty victory over Stunners, a new name for the side known as Kerygma,l last season. Stunners included new signings, Elaine Bonnici and Ariana Grixti, whilst Depiro had a changed side, losing the likes of Joselle Cardona and Abigail Sciberras. Their replacements were Samantha Tabone and Svetlana Micallef, the latter an improved player from the seasons before.

Depiro wasted no time to impose their style of play, as Greta Zarb began to sink her treys from the start. Her two treys helped in a strong 14-0 opening run. Josette Calleja pulled a hoop back for Stunners, before the end of the session.

The second quarter produced more points, as Depiro, this time, posted a 9-0 run. Stunners had a better reply than the previous session, in an 8-7 period of play, despite Sarah Pace's trey for Depiro. Till the end of the quarter Depiro again produced an 8-0 run, and at the interval they had a 38-10 advantage.

After the break Depiro overran their opponents, with Stunners only able to reply through a Nadia Cassar hoop at first. A third Zarb trey heralded a strong 20-2 run, before Stunners had a decent reply, with a closing 7-2 run, and a Lara Cauchi trey.

In the final quarter Depiro were still hungry for more points, although Cauchi sank her second trey for Stunners. Greta Zarb was still putting in her hoops, and Micallef was having a great performance for her new team.

Depiro's lead continued to grow, with Stunners putting in their share from time to time.

Stunners: C. Scicluna, 8 N. Cassar, A. Grixti, 3 J. Calleja, 8 L. Cauchi, 4 C. Spiteri, 3 E. Cutajar, M. Caruana, 2 E. Bonnici, R. Briffa, L. Cuschieri

Depiro: 3 R. Magro, C. Riolo, 8 S. Pace, Y. Agius, 4 K. Busuttil, 11 R. Camilleri, J. Busuttil Gaerty, 1 A. Borg, R. Spiteri, 25 G. Zarb, 19 S. Micallef, 6 S. Tabone

Referees: Gordon Barbara, Jennifer Mangani