St. James Hospital Super Cup - Men

Hibs win honour for the first time

Hibernians     84     Bupa Luxol     68              

(20-18, 20-17, 28-22, 16-11)

Hibs first appearance, in the Super Cup, was last season, as beaten finalists, against the same Luxol. This time the tables were turned, as the champions recorded a handsome victory. Both sides were shorn of some of their players. The Paolites had Italian, Luca Tardito, indisposed, Serbian, Marco Matijevic injured and the other Serbian, Ivan Demcesen, only available in the next transfer window. The Violets were without Nicola Vasovic, unavailable, and Filip Sekulic, from Montenegro, will also be able to play in November, in another transfer window.

Luxol started off with a 7-2 lead, as Swede, William Ahlberg, sank a triple. Chad Cuschieri Patus, in his new surname, after his wedding, and Anton Axiaq brought Hibs back, to forge ahead. Luxol responded with a 9-3 run, as Cordina netted a trey, but Roderick Vella also began his triple march, for the champions. Till the end of the session the Paolites were again in front, with a 9-2 run, and another Vella trey. In the second period Jandric sank his first triple, for another Luxol lead, but Hibs answered with a good 10-2 run, as Spanish, Alvaro Lizaur, began his points haul. Jandrin replied with another trey, but the Paolites extended their advantage, with a 9-2 run, as Vella produced a third triple. The Violets recovered till the interval, as they made up a 7-2 run, but they were still 35-40 in arrears.

After the break Luxol went near twice, as Ahlberg netted a second trey. The champions opened up their advantage with a 12-2 run, and Cuschieri Patus points, with another Vella triple. The treys continued raining in, as Vella sank yet another, but Luxol had Ahlberg, Cordina and Jandric making theirs also. A late flurry had the Paolites on a 68-57 lead, with a last session to go. They managed to put more distance in their advantage, with another 8-0 run, and a couple of Luke Farrugia triples. Hibs came back, with a 9-2 run, as Jandric put in a further trey. There was little time left, and Hibs closed down the match with a fifth Vella triple, and a comfortable victory.

After the match the MBA president, Paul Sultana, presented the winning trophy to the non-playing skipper, Marco Matijevic, as the Paolited put down their names on this honour, for the first time.

Hibs: R. Vella 16, P. Attard 5, L. Farrugia 10, K. Sultana, M. Formosa, I. Bonett, A. Axiaq 6, A. Lizaur 19,  C. Cuschieri Patus 28    

Luxol: CJ Cordina 10, V. Jandric 29, L. Caruana Montaldo, J. Maistre, JP Schembri, W. Ahlberg 13, E. Bonello, S. Cappello 16

Referees: B. Vassallo, I. Simic, Z. Dobrosavljevic

 

 

St. James Hospital Super Cup - Women

Hibs win the honour for the tenth time

Hibernians     60     Caffe Moak Luxol     43

(12-6, 13-12, 19-11, 16-14)

The Paolites have won this honour more than any other team, and they went into double figures. They had to wait twelve years before writing their name down again on this honour, and they went two ahead of Luxol, who were on eight successes. The Champions' outfit was a different proposition from their Independence Cup exploits, as they fielded their full side, with fully four players returning from their holidays abroad. Italian, Silvia Gambino, and Sam Brincat were fully involved, and Emma Micallef and Iona Agius remained on the bench. Luxol have to wait till November, to field their American again, as Alexis Dilard waits for the next transfer window.

Hibs established an advantage at the start of the match, American, Amelia Simmons, emerged hot from the blocks, in a 12-2 run. Towards the end of the session Luxol could pull back a couple of hoops. In the next period the Violets went near, as Kay Portelli and Sarah Pace netted triples. The champions got in their stride once more, and proceeded to make up a long 11-2 run, with a Gambino trey and more Simmons hoops. Before the interval Noelene Vella and Martina Darmanin reduced Luxol's deficit, but their side was still trailing, at 18-25.

After the break Luxol again felt they champions' push, as Gambino's second trey began another long 15-2 run, and Hibs were way out in front. Luxol produced a good patch of play, with a 9-0 run, and Monique Caruana and Spanish, Ian Baena triples. Free shots extended the Paolites' lead again, for a 44-29 score. In the last quarter Antoinette Borg and Pace treys helped Luxol, but Hibs were still making their points with Simmons dominant in the paint. Hibs' advantage was a winning one, even though the Violets made yet more treys by Caruana and Baena. Gambino's free shots closed down the game, for Hibs' victory.

After the match came the presentation, by the MBA president, Paul Sultana, to the Paolites' captain, Elena Cassar.

Hibs: E. Micallef, E. Cassar 4, S. Gambino 12, S. Brincat 5, I. Agius, J. Abela, S. Abela, N. farrugia, A. Simmons 36, H. al Tumi 2, M. Said, L. Duncan 1

Luxol: S. Pace 8,  B. Zammit, M. Pollacco, I. Baena 8, No. Vella 2,  M. Caruana 6, K. Portelli 5, A. Borg 6, L. Caruana Montaldo, S. Vella 2, M. Darmanin 6, C. Mifsud

Referees: N. Azzopardi, K. Dworniczak, V. Nikolic