Qormi Ph.Mendoza 31
McDonalds Depiro 69
(6-15, 7-24, 11-16, 7-14)
For Depiro it was their first victory this season in a game between two sides who were out of the Shield semis. Depiro had an easy time against a modest outfit as they won all the four sessions and their advantage escalated with each passing period. Qormi’s aim was to make up a respectable score against superior opposition.
Qormi retained the same formation as in their last match. Depiro were without the injured Steffi De Martino and Emma Grech their places being taken by the two Martinas, Mifsud and Scicluna.
Depiro were led by Antoinette Borg and she started with a personal 7-0 run and a triple. Qormi reacted well with a Carina Gauci Meilaq trey and went on to within a point of their adversaries.
Depiro surged forward once more and a 9-1 run ended with a triple by Francesca Bianco. Then it was free throws at both ends as depiro completed another 12-2 run. Late in the period it was Borg again in a 7-0 run as Depiro leapt ahead on a 39-13 score at the interval.
After the break Qormi could share the points with their opponents as Martha Abela netted a triple. Depiro took command later on as they made up an 11-2 run and finally being stopped in the late stages of the session when the score had gone up to 55-24.
Depiro kept the upper hand in the last quarter with Qormi’s replies coming in spurts. Depiro’s advantage continued to trickle up leaving their opponents further behind with the passing minutes.
Qormi: 6 M. Abela, 2 V. Agius, 6 F. Micallef, 7 C. Gauci Meilaq, V. Mifsud Tommasi, 4 M. Agius, 3 N. Said, D. Zammit, R. Debrincat, 3 CM Vella, D. Scicluna
Depiro: 6 A. Mifsud, G. Mifsud, J. Xuereb, 1 M. Mifsud, 6 M. Bonett, 7 F. Bianco, 6 T. De Martino, 30 A. Borg, 8 C. Sammut, E. Vella, 3 S. Micallef, 2 M. Scicluna
Referees: G. Barbara, J. Mangani
Luxol 45
Alyssa Ashley Loyola 57
(10-12, 12-23, 8-11, 15-11)
Loyola stunned the champions with a polished display which had Luxol chasing shadows for most of the time.
The Violets could never get to grips with Loyola’s determined play and Christina Grima and Emma Moore contrived most of the action with some heady finish from Sammy Jo Barbara. Luxol were outplayed by a well prepared side.
The champions had Kay Portelli vice the injured Paula Ellul. Loyola opted to leave out their young players and fielded an eight woman side.
The game began on a confused note and after an initial Loyola hoop Luxol put in a 7-0 run and seemed on their way only to be jolted back by a swift Loyola five who countered with a 10-0 run as they went in front. Luxol recovered till the session’s end but they were still trailing.
In the second period the champions surged ahead as Sarah Pace sank a triple but for Loyola there was Barbara who continued with her good work, also with consecutive free throws.
Luxol were unable to make up their deficit and Loyola’s flowing moves brought them a 12-2 run to open up a healthy advantage. Greta Zarb kept Luxol’s hopes of a recovery with her points but at the interval Loyola had a heavy 35-22 advantage.
After the break Luxol tried to make up a quick leeway but they didn’t make much headway and when Loyola got into their stride once more they put in an 8-0 run with the Violets having a hill to climb and a 30-46 score against them after three sessions.
Loyola were still in command in the final quarter and Luxol could only gnaw away at their deficit with lone free shots. Loyola kept long possession and when their hoops went in the game was over as it really had been for some time. Pace made personal points for the champions including a second triple in the very last stages.
Luxol: 9 S. Pace, 12 M. Sciortino, 5 L. Serge, 2 B. Naudi, J. Busuttil Gaerty, 11 G. Zarb, K. Portelli, A. Paul, D. Muscat, L. Chetcuti, 6 B. Zammit
Loyola: 8 E. Moore, 13 C. Grima, 3 J. Doughty, 6 D. Hollier, A. Bonanno, 11 J. Mangion, A. Sciberras, 16 SJ Barbara
Referees: E. Mangani, C. Terribile