The Paolites surmounted a difficult obstacle, keeping their unbeaten league record intact, and keeping a safe distance from their two main rivals.
Luxol could not have hoped for a better start, but they couldn’t keep up with their game, and when Hibs managed to make up the leeway quickly, Luxol seemed to feel the pressure.
They rallied in the second quarter, but after the break they broke down, and in the two remaining sessions they could only gather a handful of points, allowing the champions the luxury of organised play, and Hibs are not the type to turn down such an invitation.
Luxol had Louisa Serge missing for the second game running.
The game began with the Violets on a running start, piling in four treys on the trot, to go on a 12-4 advantage, with Two Emma Moore, Psaila Savona and Bev Zammit long ones.
The champions dusted themselves off, picked themselves up, and slowly came back, putting in an 8-0 run, ending right at the finish with a Maria Desira hoop, to draw level, at 12-12.
In the second period the champions went ahead with a couple of hoops, but the Violets responded well, and Mandi Sciortino and Psaila Savona made an 8-1 run between them to overturn the score at 20-17.
It was Joselle Cardona who dragged the Paolites back into the match, as her points put Hibs in front, and they could go on to a 10-2 run, which took them to the interval, and a 27-22 halftime score.
After the break Hibs went on to put their mark on the game. They denied the Violets, whilst they made an opening 11-1 run, with Alexis Darmanin coming off the bench, and gliding in four hoops, as her side went clear of their adversaries.
Luxol could only reply through a Sciortino hoop, not so Hibs, who went on with their points, ending the session on a solid 43-25 advantage.
Luxol were in no state to really contest the final quarter. They had a Lara Chetcuti free shot, but by the time the same Chetcuti made another free throw, the champions had put in a 9-0 run, handing the Violets more punishment. Three free shots were all Luxol had to show, as Hibs coasted to an unexpected easy win, to hold on to their unbeaten league record.
Hibs: 10 Kirsten Micallef, 9 Joselle Cardona, 8 Alexis Darmanin
Luxol: 9 Emma Moore, 7 Mandi Sciortino
Referees: Jean Paul Sammut, Alfred Carbonaro
Empire Cinema Stunners 30
St. James Hospital 48
(2-8)(8-6)(7-11)(13-23)
St. James are safely ensconced in mid-table, with their third seasonal victory over Stunners, and their fifth league win. There was a weak start for both sides, with points difficult to obtain, but after the interval the two sides improved, and the scoreline took a healthier look.
The two teams left their scoring prowess till the last quarter, where the treys were also prominent.
Stunners had Cynthia Saliba and Rachel Briffa missing, and Ruth Farrugia was only on the bench, after missing their last two matches. The Saints were without Natalia Baginskaya and Ann Camilleri, and although Kim Borg returned, after quite some time, she also was only on the bench.
The game took time to settle down, and points were hard to achieve, especially on Stunners’ side, who only managed a single hoop, by Ariana Grixti, after St. James had gone on a 6-0 lead, with Adalia Bonanno free shots and an Annabel Busuttil trey.
Till the end of the period it was Kathleen Gouder with a further hoop for the Saints, for a slightly better advantage. In the second quarter play was more evenly shared. Stunners went to within a hoop behind, only for the Saints to increase their lead once more, with a Sammy Jo Barbara trey.
For Stunners it was Christine Spiteri, with her personal points, to get within reach again. Until the interval Barbara added on another hoop, as St. James led on a very low 14-10 score.
After the break points were still hard to come by at first. St. James kept their noses in front, despite some real pressure from Stunners, who had Josette Calleja to urge them on with her points.
Midway through the period Busuttil sank a second trey, as teh Saints opened up a better lead. Stunners managed to recover, but it was St. James with the better ending, as they took a 25-17 advantage.
In the final quarter St. James edged away from their opponents. They started with a 7-0 run, and a further Busuttil trey. Stunners replied with a Calleja trey, but the Saints responded with another 7-0 run, and a fourth Busuttil trey.
Stunners had Nicola Said sinking a trey, but St. James produced a further 6-0 run, with a Fiona Schembri trey, as both sides improved on their respective scores, with Adalia Bonanno closing down the game with her trey for the winners.
Stunners: 12 Josette Calleja
St. James: 13 Annabel Busuttil, 9 Adalia Bonanno
Referees: Alfred Carbonaro, Clive Terribile
McDonalds Depiro 94
Honey Athleta 51
(29-10)(18-7)(25-11)(22-23)
Depiro consolidated their second position in the table with another powerful display, as Kaila Agius’ presence has now stimulated the rest of the Depiro outfit.
They totted up another high score, and we now await their meetings against the two other contenders for the title. Athleta tried to stem the tide, but Depiro were relentless, and had no difficulty in acquiring their fourth seasonal win over their opponents.
Depiro had Svetlana Micallef just on the bench, still injured, but Athleta could only muster six fit players, as five bench players were unavailable for play.
It was a furious start by both teams, with Depiro not having it all their own way at first. Rachel Camilleri was in devastating form, and Depiro began with a Greta Zarb trey, and went on to a 10-4 lead with a further Camilleri trey.
Athleta were also putting in their hoops, and keeping close to their adversaries. Depiro continued with another Camilleri trey, and then took over in the latter part of the period, sweeping to a 14-0 run, which ended with more Zarb points.
In the second session Athleta replied once more to Depiro’s opening points, although the deficit remained constant, but as time wore on, it was Depiro who took the upper hand, and with Kaila Agius and Samantha Tabone sinking their hoops, they went on till the end of the quarter, and the interval, with a 12-2 run going clear of their adversaries, on a 47-17 score.
After the break it was still the case of Athleta trying to limit the damage, as Depiro kept pressing on. They began with an 11-2 run, and a second Zarb trey.
Athleta recovered, to share the proceedings for some time, keeping Depiro on the same winning margin. Towards the end of the session the latter went on a three basket spree, to lead 72-28, after three periods.
The final quarter was open with plenty of points on display. Depiro started off with their free throws, extending their lead. Athleta replied later with Kristina Martinelli and Francesca Farrugia points.
Depiro recovered, to post an 8-2 run, with more Kaila Agius points, but it was Athleta who had the better ending, with a creditable 11-0 run, and a Leanne Sciberras trey, besides more Martinelli hoops, putting in three in a row.
Depiro: 24 Kaila Agius, 23 Rachel Camilleri, 13 Antoinette Borg, 11 Greta Zarb
Athleta: 15 Kristina Martinelli, 14 Leanne Sciberras, 8 Dana McKeon
Referees: Gordon Barbara, Stephen Micallef
Standings
Medsea Hibs 26; McDonalds Depiro 23; Ergon Projects Luxol 21; St James Hospital 18; Honey Athleta 16; Empire Cinema Stunners 13