Starlites GIG     49     Hibernians     50

(10-5, 10-14, 19-23, 10-7)

A nervous Hibs side just managed to get the better of Starlites, to progress to the final, with two straight wins. Starlites deserved better, after their performance, and they could have forced a third match, if they were more accurate in their passing, late in the encounter. As it was the Paolites breathed a huge sigh of relief, at the final buzzer, at having managed to avoid a further game. Starlites even had a last occasion to overturn the score, but a misplaced pass was snatched by Sam Brincat, and she held possession till the end, to deny her opponents from having a last go.

Starlites started with a three-hoop spread, as Adriana Lupo netted the first two baskets. Brincat sank a Hibs triple, but her side was still trailing, at the end of the period, as Kirsty Galea put in her hoops for Starlites. In the second session Starlites enhanced their advantage, before the Paolites could make some impact, with a 9-0 run, and a second Brincat triple. Hibs' lead was short lived, as Patricia Arguello points gave Starlites a new lead, which was annulled but a last second Silvia Gambino triple, to take Hibs to a drawn score, at 20-20, at the interval.

After the break Hibs went in front, with triples then going in at either end, with Galea for Starlites and Elena Cassar for the Paolites. Hibs held their advantage, as Rachel Kehoe and Sophie Abela put in their points. Galea and Arguello sank late treys for Starlites, who cut down their deficit to a 39-43 score. The last period was a tense one, with a shortage of points. Hibs opened up their lead a little, but Starlites had Arguello with a second triple, and it was a drawn score. Hibs were ahead once more, but Starlites tied the score again. Seconds from the end Abela netted a free shot, from two, and this point sufficed to take Hibs to the final, when Starlites lost possession, and ended their season.

Starlites: M. Zammit Cordina, K. Galea 17, J. Doughty, S. Farrugia 1, H. Acreman, I. Drake 1, M. Riolo 2, P. Arguello 12, M. Cutajar 4, S. Davis, A. Lupo 8

Hibs: E. Micallef, E. Cassar 3, S. Gambino 5, S. Brincat 17, I. Agius, J. Abela, S. Abela 12, K. Caruana 2, N. Farrugia, R. Kehoe 7, M. Said, J. Scerri 4

Referees: T. Mantere, I. Simic, Z. Dobrosavljevic

 

Last session comeback forces third match

Gzira Athleta     64     Caffe Moak Luxol     62

(15-17, 8-18, 16-15, 25-12)

Luxol needed another victory, to make their way into the final, and defend four seasons of league titles. It was not to be. They had everything going for them, as they held good advantages, after the opening session, but Athleta did not give up, and led by an excellent Amelia Simmons, Athleta overturned the adverse score, to snatch victory, and force the deciding rubber, next Thursday. The champions lost too many easy occasions, under the boards. and they were duly punished by Athleta, who did not spurn the chances coming their way.

Athleta started with a Denise Said Hollier trey, and Simmons hoops, but Luxol countered with a brace of Sarah Pace triples. More Simmons points had Athleta again in front, but the champions managed a 9-0 run, to lead after the first period. In the next session Athleta twice levelled the score, but Luxol prevailed, and a solid ending to the session, with a 14-2 run, and two more Pace treys, along with another from Kay Portelli, had them on song, at the interval, with a 35-23 advantage.

After the break Athleta went closer, with a three-basket spread. Luxol replied with a 10-2 run, as Portelli and Pace again sank treys, for a maximum advantage. Simmons kept making hoops for Athleta, but her side were still 39-50 behind, at the start of the last quarter.

Leanne Duncan's trey for Athleta, was countered by Portelli's third triple, for the champions. Then came Athleta's remarkable recovery. A stunning 16-2 run had Athleta forging ahead. Luxol tied the score, with Pace's sixth trey, but Athleta were not to be denied. Simmons put them in front, once more, but Noelene Vella put in two hoops for the Violets, which were not enough, as Said Hollier converted a brace of free throws, in the very last seconds, to clinch the win, and force the third match, and an eventual place in the final, next Thursday.

Athleta: B. Zammit 2, M. Beltri, L. Duncan 9, A. Simmons 42, D. Said Hollier 7, A. Borg, J. Schembri 2, S. Vella 2, E. Pace, C. Mifsud

Luxol: S. Pace 18, Ni. Vella, No. Vella 6, K. Portelli 11, L. Caruana Montaldo, M. Brown 20, C. Sollami 2, M. Darmanin 2, C. Curmi 3   

Referees: B. Vassallo, E. Mangani, J. Cole