In a low scoring encounter Luxol were the fresher of the two sides to register a league double over the Paolites and take a point advantage over them. Hibs are now two losses behind the leaders Depiro and a defeat away from the Violets and that is how the championship pool will start.

The champions could never have a grip on the match chasing elusive opponents for practically the whole time. Luxol were the more confident of the two sides and deserved their victory

Both sides fielded their typical latest standard teams.

Both teams stuck close to each other throughout the match. Luxol obtained the opening point but the Paolites twice were in front until the Violets put together a 7-2 run which took them to the end of the period and an advantage despite stifling tactics at either end.

The game began to perk up in the second session as the champions made up the leeway early on but Luxol had Steffi De Martino to give them another advantage. Hibs’ answer was a three basket spread with a couple of hoops from Joselle Cardona.

The Paolites’ slim lead was neutralised by two late free throws from Emma Grech and at the interval there was still alow score on an even 18-18.

After the break the champions took time to get in their stride and Luxol were on hand to open up a lead with a 7-0 run.

Hibs finally replied through free throws from Doreen Micallef but Luxol’s reply was a double triple from De Martino and Beverlee Zammit when their side carved out a double figure advantage.

Hibs’ further points only came from free shots but the Violets made yet another trey from De Martino to hold on to a good lead after three sessions with a 36-25 score. The Paolites started their way back creeping closer with a lone hoop in a small 6-0 run.

Luxol managed to hold them off and a second Zammit triple took the wind out of the champions’ sails. When Hibs tried to hurry their play inaccurate shooting let them down and the Violets wisely opted to crowd them out till the final buzzer.

Hibs: E. Micallef, 2 E. Cassar, M. Zammit, 2 L. Bezzina, F. Tabone, M. Desira, 7 D. Micallef, 6 A. Darmanin, N. Arrigo, 4 K. Baldacchino, 12 J. Cardona

Luxol: 3 E. Moore, 6 M. Sciortino, L. Serge, 5 B. Naudi, 16 S. De Martino, P. Ellul, D. Muscat, 2 E. Grech, 8 B. Zammit

Referees: C. Terribile, L. Camilleri

St Andrews 34

Athleta 43

(0-7)(13-10)(15-7)(6-19)

Athleta made heavy weather in beating the saints for the third time this season. They made a good start but fell behind after the interval.

The Saints looked good enough at the time to take the spoils but triples helped Athleta’s cause in the final session and they ended on a strong note to make sure of their victory.

Both sides fielded depleted teams each one playing with eight woman squads.

The opening session was one fraught with slipshod play and a succession of missed occasions. Athleta took a lead with hoops from Francesca Farrugia and a Dana McKeon triple in between. At the other end no points were registered by St Andews when Athleta kept a rare clean sheet.

In the second period Athleta went on to lead 11-0 before St Andrews opened their account after Farrugia had cried off injured for Athleta. It was Justine Mangion points which began a 9-0 run for the Saints. Athleta recovered but suffered a triple from Josette Calleja. At the interval Athleta were leading 17-13.

After the break St Andrews managed to make a breakthrough. They went in front with a second calleja triple. Athleta rallied to regain their advantage also with a second McKeon trey.

The Saints overturned the score once more and an 8-0 run helped them to stay in the lead at 28-24 with a session to go.

Athleta found their way back through triples two by Lonike Calleja and another from Marouska Azzopardi Duca although the Saints held out for some time. Athleta also managed an 8-0 run to carry them through the rest of the match, along with free throws in the last stages of the game.

St Andrews: 5 N. Cassar, R. De Martino, 11 J. Calleja, K. Portelli, 10 J. Mangion, 2 T. De Martino, R. Zammit Mamo, 6 M. De Martino

Athleta: 12 L. Calleja, 2 R. Sciberras, 5 M. Azzopardi Duca, 2 G. Muscat, 13 D. McKeon, 6 F. Farrugia, K. Busuttil, 3 C. Mifsud

Referees: J. Mangani, C. Terribile

McDonalds Depiro 77

Guzelpinar Mtarfa 38

(22-13)(22-1)(14-8)(19-16)

Depiro remain as sole league leaders with their expected victory over Mtarfa. They had just come from their Louis Borg Cup final defeat and turned in a good performance to take their mind off their loss of an honour.

Mtarfa had to bear the brunt of the Depiro pressure but managed to put in a decent score even though they were limited to a single point in the second session.

Depiro had to make do without Kaila Agius back home in Canada and Justine Xuereb in her studies. Mtarfa were without Francesca Borg Graziella Santillo and Yana Muscat.

Maria Agius netted a hoop for Mtarfa before Depiro took matters in their own hands and made up a solid 13-2 run beginning with a Sarah Pace triple.

Mtarfa had Martha Abela also with a trey but Depiro were not done yet and Greta zarb made her points including a triple. Both sides had further hoops with Depiro keeping in front.

In the second session Depiro netted an early 8-0 run with triples from Justine Busuttil Gaerty and a second from Zarb. Agius stopped the run with her free shot which was Mtarfa’s only contribution till the interval.

Then it was the turn of Andrea Mifsud with a personal 8-0 score and a triple incorporated in a session ending 14-0 run as Depiro enjoyed a 44-14 advantage.

After the break the tempo of the game slowed down and the points took time in coming. Mtarfa shared the first part of the period although Depiro had Francesca Bianco with a trey.

In the latter part of the session Antoinette Borg netted the rest of the points in favour of Depiro in a 7-0 personal run and after a single Mtarfa hoop there was Bianco once more with a triple in another 7-0 run.

Late in the match Carina Gauci meilak had personal points in an 11-2 run as Mtarfa obtained a better scoreline.

Depiro: 9 S. Pace, 21 G. Zarb, 10 A. Mifsud, M. Bonett, 11 F. Bianco, 7 J. Busuttil Gaerty, 9 A. Borg, 2 C. Sammut, 2 E. Vella, 6 S. Micallef

Mtarfa: 5 M. Abela, 2 M. Azzopardi, 15 C. Gauci Meilak, R. Sammut, 5 M. Agius, 3 N. Said, M. Scicluna, 8 G. Mifsud

Referees: J. Mangani, R. Darmanin

Alyssa Ashley Loyola 43

Starlites Sports Exp. 31

(4-7)(13-10)(14-4)(12-10)

Loyola overcame a difficult opening and a heavy deficit to post a double over Starlites and keep their fourth spot in the table.

Starlites were in control halfway through the second period but when Loyola settled down they levelled the score till the interval and then they could coeast through the rest of the match for their seventh league victory.

Loyola had players missing Martha Gatt and Elena Falzon. For Starlites Amanda Farrugia and Claire Scicluna were unavailable.

The match had a very quiet start before Loyola made the first two hoops but then they were left pointless for the remainder of the session.

On the other hand Starlites opened their account after a dressing down from coach Tino Riolo and managed to make up a 7-0 run with a Samantha Tabone triple as they went ahead. In the second period Starlites were still the more enterprising side and they continued with a further 7-0 run to enjoy an ample advantage.

Loyola finally began to get things right and it was their turn for a 7-2 run as Sammy Jo Barbara found her scoring touch. A session ending three basket spread had Loyola tying the score before the end of the session. At the interval the score stood at a low 17-17.

After the break Loyola kept up their good work and netted another 7-0 run. They were stopped by a brace of Marilou Cutajar hoops as Starlites crept close once more.

Those were the only points for Starlites in this period and with another 7-0 run for Loyola and a Jean Doughty triple Loyola took a 31-21 lead. In the final period Fiona Schembri came off the bench to sink an early Loyola tripla.

Starlites reacted with a three basket spread to open up the game once more. Loyola always held the edge and till the game’s end their lead had opened up again for a double figure victory.

Loyola: 9 J. Doughty, 5 F. Schembri, 5 D. Said Hollier, 4 R. Spiteri, 2 A. Bonanno, P. Montanaro F. Camilleri, 11 SJ Barbara, 7 K. Gouder

Starlites: 4 C. Riolo, 1 A. Grixti, 7 S. Tabone, 2 L. Pisani, C. Spiteri, L. Pirotta, N. Attard, Cilia, 3 C. Scicluna, 14 M./ Cutajar

Referees: E. Mangani, A. Carbonaro

Standings

After 13 matches, McDonalds Depiro remain on top with 25 points. Luxol are in second place on 24 while Hibs Medsea are third on 23. Alyssa Ahley Loyola have 20, Athleta 18, St Andrews 16, Starlites Sports Experience 15 and Guzelpinar Mtarfa 12.