The champions ended the first round of play in the top position as they easily disposed of the bottom side. Mtarfa were at the end of a mauling till the interval but then were given more space which they made use of to enhance their scoreline. The Paolites could afford to give all of their bench players more time on court.

Hibs had Kirsten Micallef missing from play and Yana Muscat was also absent for Mtarfa.

The champions opened up strongly with an 11-0 run and points by Doreen Micallef. When they were stopped by Carla Marie Vella who obtained her side’s only two hoops it was Lucienne Bezzina also with a triple as Hibs made another 10-2 run.

The Paolites’ bench players went on court for the second session leaving Francesca Tabone from the original first five. She made her shots including a trey and midway through the period Hibs started a long 17-0 run which finished with an Emma Micallef triple for a solid 45-8 halftime score. 

The champions’ play fell short after the break. They still held the upper hand but Mtarfa saw more of the ball. It was Bezzina who was still hungry for more points for the Paolites who were yet increasing their advantage.

In the final session Mtarfa were more insistent and matched their opponents in points. Gaby Mifsud netted a triple but then Hibs had a good ending to their match as Caroline Schiavone made more hoops. In the last seconds Gaby Mifsud sank her second triple of the game.

Hibs: 3 E. Micallef, 10 E. Cassar, M. Zammit, 18 L. Bezzina, 11 F. Tabone, 14 C. Schiavone, 11 D. Micallef, 6 A. Darmanin, N. Arrigo, 6 J. Cardona, 

Mtarfa: M. Abela,. 2 D. Falzon, 9 C. Gauci Meilak, 1 M. Mifsud, 1 M. Agius, N. Said, 4 G. Santillo, 6 CM Vella, 2 M. Scicluna, A. Demanuele

Referees: A. Carbonaro, R. Darmanin