Hibs Melita Gardens 65

Phoenix Mendoza 45

(9-15, 21-10, 19-12, 16-8 )

It was the double for the Paolites against Phoenix, in a match which saw the losers putting up some solid opposition, and actually leading after the opening period. Hibs duly won the match, and their youngsters had a good taste of the game. The Paolites put a safe distance between the two sides, but it took them a good part of the encounter to do so.

Hibs were without three players, Lucienne Bezzina, Maria Desira and Elena Cassar, and elected to play more youngsters, such as Lara Micallef and Roberta Scerri. Phoenix also had their absent players, Daniela Zammit and Carla Marie Vella.

Phoenix’s early running gave them an advantage over the Paolites, as they grabbed a lead through Carina Gauci Meilaq, and then Ann Camilleri made a personal 7-0 run, with a couple of triples.

Hibs grabbed a brace of hoops back, but Phoenix held on to their opening session advantage, as Hibs failed their shots.

In the second period normal service was resumed, as Hibs dragged themselves back, with a heavy 14-3 run, by Joselle Cardona and Kirsten Baldacchino.

Nikola Said netted a Phoenix trey. Hibs’ lead shrunk with two more Phoenix hoops, but a 7-0 run, mainly from Lena Gipson, rstored the Paolites’ advantage, until Gauci Meilaq sank a Phoenix triple, for a 30-25 score to Hibs at the interval.

After the break Phoenix managed to reply to the Paolites’ first hoops, from Baldacchino, but then Hibs started to draw away, and opened up a double figure advantage, Phoenix crept a little nearer, but Gipson made personal points at the end of the period, for a 49-32 Hibs lead.

In the last period Phoenix’s early efforts to draw closer had the Paolites with a ready reply, as Baldacchino netted a triple, and the rest was left to Gipson, who continued to dominate under the boards, in an 8-0 run.

They were stopped by a third Camilleri triple for Phoenix, but Hibs closed down the game with more points, and a better score.

Hibs: 6 J. Xerri, L. Micallef, F. Mifsud, 2 M. Zammit, K. Gatt, R. Scerri, 10 N. Arrigo, 15 K. Baldacchino, 11 J. Cardona, 21 L. Gipson

Phoenix: M. Abela, 3 V. Agius, F. Micallef, 10 C. Gauci Meilaq, V. Mifsud Tommasi, M. Agius, 8 N. Said, 12 H. Potigny, 12 A. Camilleri, MR Agius

Referees: C. Terribile, R. Darmanin