Hibs took a setback in their quest to add on to their five consecutive league titles. They were beaten by Luxol in a tactical match and the Violets went three points in front of them. The Paolites have yet to beat Luxol in a league encounter after three games and once they fell behind in a heavy Luxol spell in the second period the champions could never make it back and Luxol could keep control till the end.

The two aides presented their full latest formations.

In a wary start it was Luxol through Emma Moore who twice took an advantage. The Paolites got down to business and made up a 10-0 run beginning with a Kirsten Baldacchino triple and Joselle Cardona points.

The Violets replied through free shots but the champions recovered and ended the session on a better lead although continually harassed by their opponents. In the second period and after Hibs had added a further hoop Luxol began to gain ground. They managed to string out a good 11-0 run as Steffi De Martino netted a triple.

The Paolites stopped the run but the Violets were right back and Mandi Sciortino with her points and a triple helped them to a 7-0 run as they opened up a useful advantage. The champions reacted with a brace of hoops but the score was still against them at the interval at 24-29.

After the break Luxol relied on triples and despite Hibs’ free throws and other hoops there were Sciortino with her second trey and another from Paula Ellul as they held on to their lead. Becky Naudi points helped Luxol to increase their advantage.

The champions made a reply but there was De Martino with a last second triple as her side went on to a 43-33 lead.

In the final quarter Moore sank another triple to put the champions into further trouble.

For some minutes the Paolites couldn’t get any nearer but then a personal 7-0 run by Doreen Micallef brought Hibs back into the reckoning. They didn’t make any further progress as the Violets’ defence shut them out as Luxol made the last points of the encounter to advance in the Pool.

Luxol: 10 E. Moore, 11 M. Sciortino, L. Serge, 7 B. Naudi, 14 S. De Martino, 3 P. Ellul, 4 D. Muscat, E. Grech, 6 B. Zammit

Hibs: E. Micallef, E. Cassar, M. Zammit, 4 L. Bezzina, F. Tabone, 5 M. Desira, 18 D. Micallef, A.  Darmanin, 4 N. Arrigo, 7 K. Baldacchino, 7 J. Cardona

Referees: E. Mangani, L. Camilleri

Luxol breeze past Depiro

McDonalds Depiro 35

Luxol 59

(9-10)(9-16)(9-17)(8-16)

Now that each game is a tough one Depiro are beginning to find out that life without Kaila Agius is much more of a trial for them. Luxol are on the crest of a wave and back to back victories over their main rivals have put them on the brink of a place in the Play Off final.

After a balanced first period, the Violets drew away from their opponents to finish the match on a solid advantage.

Depiro had Maria Bonett just on the bench whilst Luxol were with the same team that had beaten Hibs just a few days before.

It was a tight opening session. Luxol were twice in front until Greta Zarb netted a triple. Luxol held an advantage three more times until the end of the period.

Depiro had replies but the two sides missed shots until Emma Moore made the hoop that had Luxol ahead one more time.

In the second session all the Luxol players put in a hoop for a 10-0 run and a double figure advantage. Depiro began to hit back after Luxol’s Bev Zammit went off for some time with a twinge.

Sarah Pace netted a triple for Depiro but the Violets were still able to hold on to a useful lead. As the interval arrived Depiro crept a little closer with their free shots for an 18-26 score.

After the break Depiro were on the receiving end as the confident Luxol players made up a good 12-1 run with Zammit back on court.

Steffi De Martino sank a triple and the Violets opened a heavy lead. Depiro finally replied and Pace made her second trey but Zammit also netted a triple at the other end before Justine Busuttil Gaerty sank another Depiro triple but her side were still 27-43 in arrears.

When the last session started Luxol netted another 7-0 run ending with a Mandi Sciortino triple and the match was definitely sealed. The two sides could then share some time with Luxol in full control and they also put in the game’s last points.

Depiro: 11 S. Pace, 3 G. Zarb, J. Xuereb, A. MIfsud, 8 F. Bianco, 3 J. Busuttil Gaerty, 8 A. Borg, E. Vella, 2 S. Micallef

Luxol: 11 E. Moore, 11 M. Sciortino, L. Serge, 2 B. naudi, 18 S. De Martino, 3 P. Ellul, 5 D. Muscat, 2 E. Grech, 7 B. Zammit

Referees: A. Carbonaro, C. Terribile

Championship Pool Standings

Luxol lead the table with 30 points from 16 matches, followed by McDonalds Depiro with 27 from 15 and Hibs Medsea, 25 from 15.