Caffe Moak Luxol 46 Depiro 44
(14-8, 6-7, 15-17, 11-12)
Luxol, boosted by their protest win over Starlites, defeated Depiro by a hoop margin, to assure themselves of a second placing, with direct encounters, if necessary, and also condemned their adversaries, to lose out of a play off place, with direct encounters taken into account. Luxol had to win, as they had previously lost their two league matches against Depiro. On their part, Depiro knew that nothing short of a win could leave them in contention, but they narrowly lost out.
Luxol had the better start, with a 7-0 run, as Sarah Pace sank a trey. Depiro crept back, with three hoops, but the champions had Pace netting a second triple, to hold an advantage. In the second period the scoring remained low. Depiro had difficulty, at first, with the Violets opening up their advantage. Late in the session Alexis Lloyd, playing her best game yet, this season, took her side nearer, to a 15-20 score, at the interval. After the break Depiro went nearer still, but the Violets reacted well, with a 10-2 runthrough Cristina Grima and Maria Brown hoops, for their maximum advantage.
Depiro came back, and amnaged a solid 11-3 run, with Lloyd and Maria Bonett points, as their side went 32-35 behind. In the last session Luxol, stayed in front, as Grima and Brown kept their side buoyant. Depiro made a last ditch effort, as Lloyd and Claire Ciantarhad their side just a hoop behind. Luxol kept possession till the end, denying their opponents of a last attempt, to clinch their victory.
Luxol: S. Pace 6, Ni. Vella,, No. Vella , C. Grima 19, K. Portelli 2, L. Caruana Montaldo, M. Brown 13, C. Sollami, M. Darmanin, C. Curmi 6
Depiro: M. Scicluna, T. Mifsud, M. Bonett 10, S. DeMartino 2, N. Agius 2, No. Agius, A. Lloyd 21, C. Ciantar 9
Referees: B. Vassallo, T. Mantere, V. Nikolic
Hibs are sure of ending in first place
Hibernians 51 Gzira Athleta 38
(13-5, 5-8, 21-12, 12-13)
With Luxol ending their commitments, Hibs knew a victory would ensure a top position ending. Athleta were sure of a play off place, but positions in the league table decided the play off pairings. Hibs are still awaiting the return of Sam Brincat to the side.Hibs reacted to Athleta's opening hoop, with an 8-1 run, as Silvia Gambino and Iona agius sank triples. Both sides then netted solitary hoops, for Hibs to hold on to their advantage. In the next period Athleta managed to overturn the score, making up an 8-2 run, but that was as far as they went, in this session.
The Paolites managed some more points, to regain their advantage, and at the interval they were leading 18-13. After the break the points began to pick up at both ends. Hibs had Julia Scerri extending their lead, but Amelia Simmons pulled Athleta back. the Paolites ' advantage didn't alter, despite more Simmons hoops.
Gambino sank another Hibs trey, and then their advantage grew, as Emma Micallef nailed two late triples, for a much improved 39-25 advantage. In the last quarter Simmons and Leanne Duncan strove to take their side into contention again, but a late Hibs 8-0 run decided the outcome, putting match beyond Athl;eta's reach. Antoinette Borg netted a platonic triple for Athleta, at the end.
Hibs: E. Micallef 11, E. Cassar 2, S. Gambino 7, I. Agius 3, J. Abela S. Abela 4, K. Caruana , N. Farrugia, R. Kehoe 15, M. Said 4, J. Scerri 5
Athleta: N. Borg, B. Zammit, L. Duncan 6, A. Simmons 21, D. Said Hollier 2 , A. Borg 3, J. Schembri 2, S. Vella , E. Pace
Referees: E. Mangani, I. Simic, M. Rajczi