Luxol 57

Hibernians 56

(20-9)(9-15)(16-17)(12-15)

In the space of a week, champions Luxol have already bagged two honours. After the opening Pre-Season Cup it was the turn of the St. James Hospital Super Cup to be kept at the club after back to back victories and for the fourth time in their history.

It was a nail-biting encounter with the Paolites desperately disappointed after a good comeback which had them crawling back from a double figure deficit in the opening period.

But the champions must also bemoan the fact that they lost their American Mollie Williams with a sprained ankle very early on in the first session when they had already opened up a solid advantage.

Hibs went nearer till the interval and nearer still after three sessions and were on level terms midway through the last period.

The lead then changed hands five times before Hibs tied the score once more. Young Paula Ellul then converted a free shot just seven seconds from time to help Luxol keep their hold on the trophy.

Luxol were still on a double figure advantage after the first period but the Paolites began drawing nearer in the next session and at the interval they were 24-29 behind and growing in confidence.

After the break, play was more balanced with Luxol holding on to their lead despite Hibs’ efforts to wipe out their deficit. Sarah Pace and Great Zarb had made triples early on in the game for Luxol and Zarb netted another in the third period with Lucienne Bezzina replying for the Paolites who were still 41-45 behind.

Hibs’ insistence earned them an advantage but both sides then alternated in leads till the end. Bezzina’s second triple tied the score with less than a minute to go.

The Paolites then wasted two costly occasions under the board and at the other end Ellul was fouled in her lay-up. She netted the decisive free shot from two and Luxol won the encounter.

After the game Luxol’s captain Mandi Sciortino was presented with the Super Cup by the MBA president Paul Sultana.

Luxol: S. Pace 3, M. Sciortino 5, B. Naudi 2, J. Busuttil Gaerty, G. Zarb 20, P. Ellul 16, M. Williams 6, D. Muscat 5, M. Darmanin, K. Portelli.

Hibernians: J. Scerri 2, E. Cassar 10, M. Zammit, L. Bezzina 14, F. Mifsud, M. Desira 4, K. Gatt, A. Borg 13, N. Mifsud, E. Micallef , J. Borg Cardona 10, L. Micallef.

Referees: G. Barbara, A. Carbonaro, S. Gouder