Bupa Luxol 68 Gzira Athleta 84
(18-21, 19-19, 17-23, 14-21)
Athleta made sure of a top placing in the league table, with two matches on hand, as they beat the champions, for the second time , in three outings. Athleta's task was made easier with William Ahlberg's omission from the Luxol line up, due to a throat infection. They also had Michael Sjoberg missing. Athleta included Billy Zammit, but he remained on the bench, with the extended time allotted to Matthew Gouder, who has boosted his side no end. Both sides made braces of hoops, with Luxol then putting in a 7-2 run, with a Kyle Meyer triple.
Athleta responded with their four hoop spread, with Jon Feiler points, to forge in front. The Violets went to within a point, with Feiler netting the session's last hoop. In the second period Athleta extended their lead with an 8-2 run, and an Ivan Mitrovic triple. Luxol then began putting in their treys in succession, with CJ Cordina sinking the first one, and Meyer coming up with four on the trot, to reduce the champions' deficit, as athleta were also making points, including treys by Mitrovic and Feiler. At the interval Athleta were leading 40-37.
After the break Athleta began pulling away. they began with an 8-2 run, followed by a 9-2 one, and another Mitrovic trey. Feiler continued with his hoops, but Luxol ended the session on an 8-2 run, taking the score to 54-63. The last quarter had Gouder keeping Athleta in front, until Mitrovic and Nathan Xuereb triples pushed them into a winning advantage. Vasovic netted a Luxol trey, but Athleta made doubly sure, putting in a game ending 9-2 run, as Mitrovic nailed his last trey.
Luxol: CJ Cordina 8, N. Vasovic 23, J. Melillo, JP Schembri 5, K. Dimech 6, K. meyer 23, A. Micallef Trigona 3
Athleta: M. Naudi 5, B. Zammit, P. Shoults 2 , L. Stefanovic, F. Mifsud Bonnici, O. Said 8, M. Gouder 15, N. Xuereb 3, S. Vincic, I. Mitrovic 15, J. Feiler 36
Referees: B. Vassallo, T. Mantere, I. Simic
Hibs consolidate second position
Hibernians 92 Cynergi Depiro 47
(22-16, 14-11, 30-12, 26-8)
With Luxol's defeat, the Paolites moved a second win away, in second place, and also recorded their fourth victory in a row, against Depiro. Just like the two teams in the first match, Hibs are assured of a place in the play offs, but Depiro are to meet starlites in a head to head meeting, for the last available spot. Beside the injured David Bugeja, Depiro also had to make do without David Camilleri and Lene Duckinson.Alvaro Lizaur started off the Paolites with his points, and a triple.
Andrew aquilina netted a trey for Depiro, but Hibs netted a 9-2 run with another Lizaur trey. Dominic Scafidi began putting in his points, for Depiro, with Hibs sinking a brace of hoops. Depiro cut down on their deficit, as Matthew Borg made a late triple. In the second period Depiro began by anwering the Paolites' opening points, as Scafidi also sank a triple. Chad Patus added on Hibs points, with Nicholas Grech hitting two hoops, for Depiro.
At the interval the Paolites were 36-27 in front. After the break Depiro were hit hard, as Hibs exploded with their triples. Patus and Simon Attard sank theirs, and Lizaur followed up with three more of his own, as Hibs sailed away. Scafidi was still putting in hoops for Sepiro, they suffered two more treys, from Lizaur and Roderick Vella, as the Paolites reached a 66-39 score.
In the last session Depiro manage to match their opponents at first, when Isaac Bonett sank a Hibs triple. Hibs then took the rest of the session in hand, and proceeded to notch up a game ending 17-2 run, when Luca Tardito left his mark on the game, for the Paolites, who gave extended time to their bench players.
Hibs: R. Vella 5, P. Attard 2, K. Sultana, L. Farrugia 4, S. Attard 5, I. Bonett 7, L. Tardito 17, A. Axiaq 12, M. Matijevic 4, A. Lizaur 25, F. Mariani, C. Patus 24
Depiro: E. Briffa , J. Attard, A. Aquilina 7, N. Grech 7, A. Attard 2, M. Mallia 2, K. Xuereb , M. Borg 5, D. Scafidi 24
Referees: E. Mangani, N. Azzopardi, K. dworniczak