St. James Hospital National League – Women
Hibernians 78
Phoenix Petrus Loyola 36
(17-6, 16-15, 24-4, 21-11)
The Paolites had started the league campaign well with three victories but then suffered two successive defeats.
Their double over Phoenix with a nearly similar score to their first round win left them just behind the first two teams in the standings.
Hibs had former player Lucienne Bezzina as their mentor after reports that coach Winnie Buhagiar had tendered her resignation.
The Paolites were without Alexis Cutajar and Beverie Sultana but recovered Julia Scerri who had missed some matches.
Phoenix paraded a full squad for the first time this season. They recovered Lisa Pace Melania Bajada and Giuliana Torpiano the latter after quite a number of games. Nicola Said 1 played for the first time this season and also included was young Nicola Said 2.
After Hibs’ opening basket, Francesca Camilleri replied for Phoenix with a brace of hoops. But then the Paolites took over and put in a long 15-2 run as they opened up agood advantage.
In the second period, the game became more balanced with Phoenix sharing the play but still at a deficit.
Hibs’ points came from a wider sphere of players with Phoenixs reply including a Torpiano triple. At the halfway stage of the match the Paolites were on a 33-21 advantage.
After the break, the game took a different turn as the Paolites put their stamp on the proceedings. They began with a 14-0 run as Crystal Woodley made her presence felt.
When Phoenix reacted with a Bajada hoop, Hibs made up a further 11-2 run with Jean Doughty points including a trey. The score went up to 57-25 in the Paolites favour.
In the last quarter, play was shared for some time but Hibs began to exercise their dominace once more and a 10-0 run extended their lead further.
Phoenix managed a reaction but Hibs had Naomi Farrugia with a triple as all the Hibs players put their name on the scoresheet.
Hibernians: E. Micallef 7, E. Cassar 10, J. Doughty 11, N. Farrugia 3, I. Agius 4, J. Scerri 6, L. Micallef 2, N. Mifsud 8, C. Woodley 21, J. Borg Cardona 6
Phoenix: M. Abela, L. Pace4, Y. Agius 4, M. Gatt 8, MR Agius, N. Said (ll) 3, N. Said (1) 2, G. Muscat, G. Torpiano 11, F. Camilleri 6, J. Millo, M. Bajada 2
Referees: B. Sly. Z. Dobrosavljevic
Positive for Depiro after the interval
Starlites Naxxar 54
Pavi Depiro 61
(16-12, 14-17, 13-15, 11-17)
Depiro kept up their winning streak but had to pull out all their stops to withstand Starlites opposition.
After chasing their adversaries for most of the first part of the match Depiro still had Starlites uncomfortably near and it was only a spell in the last quarter which eased their minds as Starlites kept battling till the end. It was Depiro’s third victory over their opponents this season. Starlites paraded their new acquisition Andrea Mifsud on loan from the same Depiro una included young Kim Pirotta but had Natasha Attard missing. Depiros Svetlana Micallef was abroad and there was a first appearance for Emma Grech after quite some time.
Starlites took the first advantage going 9-4 ahead and their lead increased with a Lindsey Pirotta triple.
Depiro began to retaliate and Sam Brincat managed to net a pair of treys to cut down their deficit till the end of the period.
Depiro then forged ahead at the start of the next session but Starlites were soon back in the lead after a strong 12-2 run with Pirotta points and a Justine Busuttil Gaerty trey.
Depiro recovered till the interval after making up a 9-1 run with a Beverlee Zammit triple with Starlites just holding on to a slim 30-29 advantage.
After the break Depiro overturned the score with Antoinette Borg points also a trey. The lead then changed hands a total of six times before the period ended as Renea Phelps led Starlites in the points and Zammit netted two further triples helping her side to snatch a lead at 44-43.
In the last quarter, it was Gaby Mifsud with another trey for Depiro but Starlites were still close until an 8-0 run had Depiro on a double figure advantage. Starlites made a last effort but Depiro stood just out of reach denying their opponents further ground to get near enough.
Starlites: A. Mifsud 2, J. Busuttil Gaerty 3, A. Grixti, S. Tabone 2, P. Montanaro, M. Desira 10, R. Phelps 21, L. Pirotta 15, K. Pirotta, S. Galea, S. Davis, M. Cutajar 1
Depiro: N. Agius, G. Mifsud 5, E. Grech, S. Brincat 14, M. Bonett 4, M. Scicluna 4, M. Mifsud, A. Borg 5, N. Taylor 20, N. Donoghue, T. DeMartino, B. Zammit 9
Referees: S. Micallef, Z. Dobrosavljevic
Luxol take command, after early Athleta resistance
Caffe Moak Luxol 67
Honey Athleta 40
(13-13, 15-14, 23-10, 16-3)
This top of the table clash was on course until the interval but then the game took a different turn as Luxol took the upper hand and Athleta began to struggle against superior opponents.
After falling behind, they were hit further in the last session and Luxol’s victory took higher proportions.
After their early season progress which had them at the top of the standings, Athleta’s form began to dip and they suffered a number of reverses which seemed to make them lose their confidence. On the contrary the Violets are now hitting top form.
Athleta were without Emma Moore - still recuperating - Edwina Vella and Marie Claire Cilia.
Athleta opted to start without Ijeoma Ofomata but were still on a par with Luxol as they managed four advantages in the opening session with Leanne Sciberras sinking a triple after early Sammy Jo Barbara hoops. Luxol tied the score late in the period with Patricia Bright hoops.
With Ofomatas entry on court, Athleta twice more went ahead but Bright was still putting in her points. This time it was Luxol going ahead with replies from Athleta and a Monique Caruana triple took the Violets to a slight 28-27 advantage at the interval.
After the break, Luxol’s dominance began. A steady 13-2 run with another Caruana trey had Luxol on a good lead.
Athleta tried to catch up again but Luxol managed another 8-2 run along with a third Caruana triple to go into the last session on a heavy 51-37 advantage.
Athleta’s resistance fell away and Luxol could increase their lead with another solid 14-0 run which closed down the match well before the end of the encounter.
Luxol have now tied the matches with their rivals with two wins apiece in the season as they went alongside the same Athleta in the standings.
Luxol: K. Baldacchino, M. Mercieca 8, I. Medina, B. Naudi 2, P. Ellul 2, G. Costa 13, K. Portelli, S. DeMartino 12, M. Caruana 8, P. Bright 22, M. Darmanin, C. Curmi
Athleta: D. Said Hollier, R. Sciberras, J. Xuereb 2, L. Cassar 3, L. Sciberras 9, M. Azzopardi Duca, S. Vella, A. Demanuele, F. Farrugia 8, SJ Barbara 6, C. Mifsud 3
Referees: C. Terribile, T. Helenius
Standings
After all teams have played six matches, CAFFE MOAK and Honey Athleta lead on 11 points, followed by Hibernians on 10, PAVI Depiro on 9, Starlites Naxxar on 7 and Phoenix Petrus Pizza on 6.