Athleta      67

Starlites Sports Exp. 35

(14-8, 12-6, 22-11, 19-10)

Athleta recovered from their defeat Hibs to beat Starlites handsomely and make a decisive step towards the semis. Starlites were opening their account for this season and will be making heavy weather in most of their matches.

Athleta had their foreigner Alaksandra Ratomska abroad and Francesca Farrugia unavailable but they included their Dutch player Dorien Jager. Starlites had the same players as last season with the absence of Lara Pisani and Claire Scicluna.

It was Starlites with a good start despite a triple from Athleta’s Kelly Busuttil. Then it was Leanne Sciberras with personal points in a 7-0 Athleta run before being stopped with a Lindsay Pirotta hoop. Athleta were still ahead at the session’s end.

Athleta extended their advantage at the start of the second period with a 10-0 run but Starlites recovered and Ariana grixti put in a couple of baskets.

At the interval Athleta were on a better advantage and a 26-14 score.

After the break Starlites were in a better frame of mind and they matched their adversaries in points until Athleta came up with triples from Dana McKeon and again Busuttil.

The latter part of the period was all in favour of Athleta who made up a 13-0 run for a solid 48-25 score.

In the final quarter it was Starlites with the first hoop but Athleta with a 9-0 run broke completely clear. Starlites could only react sporadically with Athleta cruising through for their victory.

Athleta: S. Pisani, C. Ciantar, 9 D. Jager, 4 L. Calleja, 16 L. Sciberras, 6 M. Azzopardi Duca, 2 G. Muscat, 15 D. McKeon,  R. Sciberras, 2 F. Farrugia, 15 K. Busuttil, C. Mifsud

Starlites: 4 A. Farrugia, 3 C. Riolo, 8 A. Grixti, 4 S. Tabone, S. Cutajar, C. Spiteri, 5 L. Pirotta, 2 N. Attard, MC Cilia, 3 C. Scicluna, 6 M. Cutajar

Referees: G. Barbara, C. Terribile

McDonalds Depiro 41

Luxol     55

(8-11, 5-11, 13-19, 15-14)

Depiro are still without a win this season after three defeats. It wastheir second loss against Luxol after the Super Cup match. Luxolare a confident lot and their second group win puts them in the semis along with a solid display to confirm their champions status

The only change for both sides came about in Luxol’s line up with Kay Portelli taking the place of the injured Paula Ellul.

There was a cautious start from both outfits with Depiro replying to Luxol’s early hoop but Sarah Pace sank a triple for Luxol. Depiro were back with another advantage but till the end of the period it was the Violets with a three point lead.

In the second session a three basket spread had the champions in a better position but Depiro found means to stop the threat and crept closer. Luxol came into their own once more and a Greta Zarb triple helped them on to a 22-13 advantage at the halftime buzzer.

After the break Luxol went on with their methodical play and another 10-2 run through sterling work by Louisa Serge had Luxol on a strong footing.

Later on, another heavy 9-3 run pushed Depiro further behind. For the latter it was Steffi De Martino with a triple. Luxol’s next points again found Depiro with a suitable reaction but they were still 26-41 in arrears.

In the final period Depiro made free throws to draw nearer but the champions countered that with a Beverlee Zammit trey to keep their distance.

Depiro’s last efforts were to no avail especially with Zarb getting her second triple for a comfortable victory.

Depiro: 2 A. Mifsud, E. Grech, J. Xuereb, T. De Martino, M. Bonett, 10 F. Bianco, G. Mifsud, 11  A. Borg, C. Sammut, E. Vella, 2 S. Micallef, 15 S. De Martino

Luxol: 3 S. Pace, 12 M. Sciortino, 10 L. Serge, 10 B. Naudi, 2 J. Busuttil Gaerty, 8 G. Zarb, K. Portelli,  4 A. Paul, 3 D. Muscat, L. Chetcuti, L. Vella, 5 B. Zammit

Referees: E. Mangani, C. Terribile