The Violets obtained their second victory over the Saints as they strode through to the semis of this competition.

They had a relatively easy time against the Saints although they had lapses at times with their opponents taking the occasions offered to them to hike up their points especially Josette Calleja who planted in a poker of triples.

When Luxol pressed though they had no difficulty in obtaining points including their treys with Bev Zammit putting a trio along with other Luxol players.

Luxol had Emma Moore and Paula Ellul missing for this match and St Andrews recovered Justine Mangion but Madeleine De Martino was abroad.

The Violets raced into an 11-0 opening lead which took some time and ended with a Bev Zammit trey. Josette Calleja started the Saints’ points but Steffi De Martino responded instantly with her triple.

Not to be outdone Calleja also sank a trey for the Saints as they made up a 7-0 run and erased Luxol’s double figure advantage.

In the second period the Violets made another three basket spread but the Saints came up with a good 9-2 run and a second Calleja triple.

Until the end of the session the Violets retaliated by emulating their adversaries putting in a 9-2 run of their own and went in at the interval break on a 33-19 advantage.

In the third period Debbie Schranz sank a triple for St Andrews but it was among a long 13-3 run for Luxol who had Zammit with her second trey.

The Violets then started to ease somewhat and St Andrews put in a 7-0 run with Calleja netting her third triple. Right at the end of the quarter Zammit also nailed her third trey for Luxol for a 49-29 lead.

In the last session it was more of an open game with Luxol’s points coming from various sources but the Saints concentrated on three players as Calleja netted a fourth trey and Emma Grech and Agnetha Agius made it a more amenable match for the losers as Luxol had Becky Naudi also sinking her triple in the comfortable Luxol victory.

Luxol: 3 M. Sciortino, 5 B. Naudi, 8 F. Psaila Savona, 18 S. De Martino, 12 D. Muscat, L. Chetcuti, 2 M. De Martino, 17 B. Zammit.

St Andrews: N. Cassar, 5 A. Agius, 20 J. Calleja, I. Galea, R. De Martino, 8 E. Grech, 3 J. Mangion, 4 E. Cutajar, 5 D. Schranz T. Pace Decesare

Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Jennifer Mangani.

Honey Athleta 57

Starlites Sports Exp. 41

(10-10)(14-10)(15-10)(18-11)

Athleta bypass Starlites obstacle

It was the first meeting between these two teams this season and Athleta managed to make it to the semis in a match which was close till the interval.

The scales then turned in Athleta’s favour as they edged away to build up a handsome advantage and set their minds at rest well before the end of the encounter. Starlites had Lara Pisani with a trio of treys converted when her side was in arrears.

Athleta played their first game under their new coach Charles Bonnici. They had Dorien Jager unavailable but Denelza Bayliss turned out for the first time this season.

Starlites had Charlotte Riolo, Marika Micallef, Amanda Farrugia and Diane Falzon all missing and they gave a debut to Lyndsey Pirotta.

Athleta were the first team off the blocks taking an initial 5-2 lead but Pisani sank her first triple for Starlites. Although Athleta went back in front the lead changed hands twice more before Starlites had Marielou Cutajar putting in a late hoop to tie the score. In the second quarter both teams took time to settle down.

It was again Athleta with another small lead which they kept till midway through the period when Pisani sank her second trey for a 16-16 score.

Starlites tied the score once more until Athleta took a better lead which they held on to till the end of the session for a 24-20 interval score.

After the break Starlites crept nearer to just a point behind but Leanne Sciberras began to show her worth as a 12-1 run was made mainly with her points. Pisani came up with a further triple for Starlites but Athleta had established a lead and with just a session to go they were on a 39-30 advantage.

Athleta kept a firm hold of the proceedings at the start of the last quarter and Sciberras was on hand in an 8-2 run as her side obtained a double figure advantage.

When Starlites began to make their hoops there was always an Athleta reply and they went on increasing their lead to advance to the semis.

Athleta: N. Barry, 8 L. Pace, M. Azzopardi, 2 D. Bayliss, 19 L. Sciberras, 2 M. Azzopardi Duca, G. Muscat, 12 D. McKeon, 7 F. Farrugia, R. Sciberras 9, L. Calleja.

Starlites: 2 A. Grixti, 11 S. Tabone, 10 L.Pisani, 3 C. Spiteri, N. Said, T. Sciortino, L. Pirotta, 3 MC Cilia, 1 C. Scicluna, 11 M. Cutajar.

Referees: Anthony Micallef, Clive Terribile

McDonalds Depiro 65

Allcare Ins. Loyola 60

(20-17)(12-17)(10-22)(23-4)

Hard going for Depiro against modest Loyola

Loyola were on the verge of a heavy upset with a hefty lead at the start of the last session but their side was severely foul hit and they couldn’t last the match much to Depiro’s relief.

Loyola had it in them to overcome their more quoted opponents as they overturned a disastrous opening and then made their adversaries look like a raw outfit. But they were overwhelmed when it mattered and they lost a golden opportunity to upset the odds.

Depiro can’t seem to get going this season and they will need to pull their socks up to have a say if they are looking at this season’s honours

Depiro were without Edwina Vella and Loyola had Abigail Sciberras missing with Giuliana Torpiano being introduced.

Depiro made an excellent start to the match as Sarah Pace put in her points including an early triple. The Mtarfa side totted up a 19-4 run and then inexplicably faded away as they experienced difficulty in obtaining more points.

Loyola became more adventurous and ably led by Ruth Spiteri they came up with a strong 13-1 run as they crept to just a three point disadvantage.

In the second period Loyola turned the score around at 22-20. Depiro were stung and grabbed a lead once more but they were not at ease as Loyola stayed close.

A little later and Adalia Bonanno strung three hoops in a row as her side took another advantage. When Depiro were in front again and seemed as if they were going to the interval in a lead there was Fiona Schembri with a trey for Loyola and in the last second of play Bonanno put Loyola into a 34-32 advantage.

After the break points were a bit scarcer at first.

Depiro started with a Justine Busuttil Gaerty triple as they swept in front but Schembri sank her second trey as Loyola then concocted a solid 17-2 run with Kirsty Tonna free shots leaving Depiro at a distance and seemingly lost.

The latter part of the session was shared as Loyola hung on to their unexpected lead. Right on time Depiro had a breakthrough when Antoinette Borg was foolishly fouled in midcourt to make a couple of free throws and the score stood at 56-42.

In the last quarter with four Loyola players on four fouls Depiro came out with teeth bared and started to rip Loyola apart.

The latter were not in a position to respond now and suffered a strong 0-19 reverse and two further Pace triples with more Borg and Kaila Agius hoops.

Depiro were in front but Loyola pluckily came back and Schembri came off the bench to sink a third trey.

Time, however, had nearly run out and Depiro could thank their lucky stars that the last session turned out as it did and they could scrape through to the semis.

Depiro: 22 S. Pace, 2 G. Zarb, J. Xuereb, A. Mifsud, 4 K. Busuttil, C. Tanti, 3 J. Busuttil Gaerty, 15 A. Borg, C. Sammut, 5 S. Micallef, K. Agius.

Loyola: 12 K. Tonna, 6 J. Doughty, 13 F. Schembri, D. Said Hollier, 11 R. Spiteri, 12 A. Bonanno, G. Torpiano, P. Montanaro, M.Gatt, SJ Barbara, 2 K. Gouder.

Referees: Alfred Carbonaro, Clive Terribile.