A satisfying victory over Depiro opened up Loyola’s season with Depiro tasting the dregs of defeat once more after their Super Cup loss.

Depiro ended the opening period in front but then spent the rest of the encounter chasing eager opponents who despite their somewhat erratic play put one over their opponents as they did last season.

Loyola introduced their two new signings Emma Moore and Justine Mangion with Abigail Sciberras returning after a lengthy injury. Depiro had the same formation as in their Super cup defeat.

Loyola made the early pressure after suffering the game’s first hoop. A 9-2 run augured well but Depiro inserted themselves better in the match although with Steffi De Martino on early foul trouble. A 10-1 run overturned the score as Depiro forged ahead.

In the second session Antoinette Borg netted a Depiro triple as they edged further in front. That was their only contribution for some time as Loyola put together a long 12-0 run to open up a good advantage. In the last minute Depiro stopped the run but Loyola were still 25-20 ahead by the interval.

After the break the match began to balance out. Loyola pushed themselves more in front but Depiro had a bright patch with a 9-2 run mostly from De Martino as her side went within striking distance. Loyola recovered with Mangion making a couple of hoops for a 40-33 score.

The final period had Depiro making an early bid for a quick recovery but their endeavour died down as Loyola went on a 9-0 run ending with a jean doughty triple. Loyola thus broke clear with little time left.

Depiro’s final points with a second Borg trey only served to bring them nearer but still on the losing side.

Loyola: 6 E. Moore, 9 C. Grima, 5 J. Doughty, A. Gatt, 11 D. Hollier, G. Torpiano, 2 A. Bonanno, 10 J. Mangion, 4 A. Sciberras, F. Camilleri, 4 SJ Barbara, K. Gouder

Depiro: A. Mifsud, E. Grech, J. Xuereb, T. de Martino, M. Bonett, F. Bianco, G. Mifsud, A. Borg, C. Sammut, E. Vella, S. Micallef, S. De Martino

Referees: A. Carbonaro, J. Mangani

Hibernians     67

Athleta     59

(17-8, 14-13, 13-20, 23-18)

Hibs began their season with a difficult victory over Athleta as the latter harassed their opponents for most of the match.

In a final flurry, it was the Paolites who broke away denying Athleta any occasion of a recovery to produce any unexpected result.

Hibs had Doreen Micallef now absent from the side and also missing the services of Nadia Arrigo and Emma Micallef. Athleta presented their Polish player Alaksandra Ratomska along with some junior players.

Hibs settled down quickly after an early Ratomska free throw. A 12-0 run had them on course and later on Kirsten Baldacchino nailed a triple. Athleta had Lonneke Calleja with two late hoops to pull them back a little.

The Paolites had Baldacchino once more with a trey in the second period. Athleta struck back but Hibs were equal to their efforts and held on to their comfortable lead until another late Athleta rally had Ratomska netting twice to bring her side to a 21-31 score at the interval.

Athleta drew nearer after the break and despite Hibs’ replies Kelly Busuttil sank a triple. The Paolites opened up their lead yet again only for Leanne Sciberras to net another trey for Athleta as they went nearer once more. After three sessions of play, Hibs were on a lower 44-41 advantage.

The final session provided a glut of points. Athleta were still close at first but a 7-0 run mostly from Alexis Cutajar had Hibs on a double figure lead.

Athleta went back with another Busuttil triple but Hibs then dealt Athleta a mortal blow with a series of free shots which took them away again.

A last second triple by Sciberras did not suffice as the Paolites had already made sure of the result.

Hibs: 2 E. Cassar, M. Zammit, 4 L. Bezzina, 15 M. Desira, K. Gatt, 11 A. Cutajar, 18 K. Baldacchino, 17 J. Cardona

Athleta: S. Pisani, 17 A. Ratomski, J. Bondin, 10 L. Calleja, 17 L. Sciberras, M. Azzopardi Duca, D. McKeon, G. Muscat, R. Sciberras, 2 F. Farrugia, 13 K. Busuttil, C. Mifsud

Referees: E. Mangani, L. Camilleri

Luxol     88

Phoenix Mend. Qormi 27

(26-4, 23-10, 20-7, 19-6)

As expected Luxol made short shrift of the new Qormi outfit being also buoyed as they were with the Super Cup victory a week before.

The champions ran up a high score as Qormi strove valiantly to stem the tide and also managed to register a respectable score against much more quoted opponents.

Luxol had Paula Ellul in the side and introduced Leanne Vella but Kay Portelli was missing.

The new Qormi side was made up of former Depiro players who accompanied their former coach along with others who returned to the game.

Luxol began early on with their triples from Sarah Pace and Becky Naudi. Qormi’s first hoop only served for a lengthy 20-0 run from Luxol mostly by Mandi Sciortino. Qormi made a second hoop before Ellul obtained her first points.

In the second quarter Qormi managed to reply quickly as Ellul put in more hoops for the Violets. Midway through the session the champions took over once more and finished off with an 11-0 run starting with a Bev Zammit triple for a 49-14 advantage at the interval.

After the break, although Qormi were still on the receiving end, the Violets’ scoring was not prolific as before. Three of their players netted trios of hoops. Naudi Greta Zarb and Diana Muscat. Daniela Scicluna offered some respite for the losers as the score reached 69-21.

The standard of play from Luxol’s end went down in the last period and Qormi took the opportunity to put in some more points before the champions made another effort which took them to the last part of the encounter on a 12-0 run before adding on more Naudi points.

Luxol: 10 S. Pace, 10 M. Sciortino, L. Serge, 20 B. Naudi, 2 J. Busuttil Gaerty, 12 G. Zarb, 13 P. Ellul, 6 A. Paul, 8 D. Muscat, L. Chetcuti, L. Vella, 7 B. Zammit

Qormi: 1 V. Agius, 4 F. Micallef, 9 C. Gauci Meilaq, 2 V. Mifsud Tommasi, M. Agius, 4 N. Said, D. Zammit, R. Debrincat, CM Vella, 7 D. Schembri

Referees: C. Terribile, J. Mangani