Hibs Melita Gardens 54

Athleta Honey 41

(13-9, 11-16, 22-10, 8-6)

Hibs surmounted the Athleta obstacle beating them again after their Shield win.

Athleta were on a par with their opponents till the interval even managing to grab a late advantage but that all changed after the break.

Hibs were then in command and they eased away from their adversaries to continue their way up the standings after an unwelcome stutter with three losses.

The Paolites had Alexis Cutajar on the missing list once more. On Athleta’s part there was Stephanie Pisani unavailable.

Aleksandra Ratomska began with a couple of triples for Athleta but in between Hibs had made as many points, mainly from Lucienne Bezzina.

When Hibs went ahead once more they held on to their advantage and Bezzina also netted a triple for a further lead.

In the second session Athleta tied the score but the Paolites had Bezzina with a second trey and Lena Gipson free throws. Athleta were back on level terms with Hibs netting a further two hoops.

Athleta then made up a 7-0 run ending with a Leanne Sciberras triple. Hibs reduced the arrears but the score was still against them at 24-25 at the interval.

After the break, Hibs went on personal marking and this reaped results. After a three basket spread, the Paolites then followed with an 8-0 run with Nadia Arrigo and Joselle Cardona hoops.

Athleta had Francesca Farrugia to obtain points and a Kelly Busuttil trey. Hibs ended the session on a 46-35 advantage.

At the start of the last period, Athleta made a brace of free throws but remained with them for more than seven minutes. In return the Paolites could only put in a couple of hoops but had a healthy lead.

There were only a handful of points shared between the two sides till the end of the match as Hibs cantered through to back to back victories.

Hibs: J. Xerri, 6 E. Cassar,  F. Mifsud, 12 L. Bezzina, M. Zammit, 2 M. Desira, K. Gatt, 8  N. Arrigo, 4 K. Baldacchino, 8  J. Cardona, 14 L. Gipson

Athleta: 3 M. De Martino, 10 A. Ratomska, 2 C. Ciantar, 2 L. Calleja, 7 L. Sciberras,  M. Azzopardi Duca,  R. Sciberras, 6 F. Farrugia, 10  K. Busuttil, 1 C. Mifsud

Referees:  G. Barbara, A. Carbonaro