Starlites GIG     60     Hibernians     51

(18-14, 12-14, 12-13, 18-10)

Starlites had already beaten the champions, in the Independence Cup, but Hibs were fresh from their Super Cup success, against Luxol. The Paolites' advantages, in the match, were in the third session of play, but when Starlites regained their lead, in the last quarter, they remained there for the rest of the encounter. Starlites made some changes, from their last match, as Anthea Micallef and Adriana Lupo took their place in the side, with the Welsh lass, Hayley Acreman, missing out.  Hibs had Kirsty Caruana instead of Jasmine Abela.

Starlites drew first blood, but Hibs were on level terms, with Sam Brincat points, and a trey. Starlites reacted, with a 9-0 run, ending with a Kirsty Galea triple. The champions made the better ending to the session, with a 7-2 run, as Skipper, Elena Cassar, sank a trey. In the next period Starlites held on to their advantage with Mikela Zammit Cordina points. American, Amelia Simmons, started her points tally for the Paolites, and Brincat netted a second triple, but Starlites were still ahead. Even a late Hibs flurry, and an Emma Micallef triple, could not budge Starlites from their lead, as they led 30-28, at the interval.

After the break Hibs went ahead for the first time, as Cassar sank a trey. Starlites drew level, but the champions were again ahead. Starlites regained their advantage, fell behind once more, but Stepohanie Davies netted a late triple, as Starlites were holding on, to a slim 42-41 advantage. In the last session Simmons pushed Hibs ahead, but Starlites had Spaniard, Patricia Arguello, to take them to another lead. Starlites stretched their advantage a bit more, with Leanne Duncan hitting a Hibs triple, for her only points in the match. The champions' hopes faded away, as Starlites held on, and then delivered a late 7-2 run, with Arguello's free shots finishing off the match.

Starlites: M. Zammit Cordina 7, K. Galea 13, M. Riolo, S. Farrugia 2, M. Bonett, A. Micallef 2, A. Lupo, J. Grima 13, P. Arguello 18, M. Cutajar 2, S. Davies 3, C. Curmi

Hibs: E. Micallef 3, E. Cassar 11, S. Gambino, S. Brincat 14, I. Agius, K. Caruana, S. Abela 4, A. Simmons 14, N. Farrugia, H. Al Tumi , M. Said 2, L. Duncan 3

Referees: B. Vassallo, A. Ampadogannis, D. Torok

 

Depiro cruise past Luxol

Depiro     73     Caffe Moak Luxol     57

(22-16, 13-14, 24-6, 24-21)

This was Depiro's third victory over Luxol, so very early in the season, after two Independence Cup successes, the second in a semi-final. The Violets were very much in contention, till the interval, but faded from view after the break, allowing Depiro to canter away, leaving their opponents way behind, and making sure of the result from early on. Depiro made changes, as Andrea mifsud and Julia Schembri made their first outing of the season, with Gaby Mifsud waiting for the November window, to play again. Luxol had Antoinette Borg indisposed for the match.

Luxol began well enough, as their opening three efforts all resulted in triples, two from Kay Portell,i and the other by Sarah Pace. Depiro settled down, grabbed a lead through a Denise Said Hollier trey, and after falling behind once more, with a Noelene Vella brace, for Luxol, Depiro pushed themselves forward, making up a long 12-3 run, as American, Ashley Gray, put in her points. Portelli replied with another trey, but Luxol were in arrears. In the second period Depiro were still ahead, but the Violets were chasing hard, and the Spaniard, Ina Baena, netted a triple. Soon after it was the Spaniard, at the other end, Patricia Arguello, to sink a trey. Luxol went to within a hoop, but late points had Starlites 35-30 in front, at the interval.

After the break the match took a dramatic turn. Luxol's points dried up. and Depiro poured in a 13-0 run. Luxol finally managed a third Portelli trey, but Depiro were not to be denied, and they went on, with another 10-1 run. Gray continued with her points, and Depiro were fully 59-36 in front. In the last session Depiro's lead did not diminish at first. Luxol then had Baena, Monique Caruana and Pace sinking triples, but they had a lot to make up for. Steffi demartino made a depiro trey, along with other hoops, and her side were comfortable winners at the end.

Depiro: No. Agius 2, A. Mifsud 2, L. Camilleri, C. Camilleri 3, J. Schembri 4, S. DeMartino 18, D. Said Hollier 3, M. Scicluna, A. Gray 27, E. Cassar 2, C. Ciantar 10, N. Hili 1

Luxol: S. Pace 21, B. Zammit, Ni. Vella 4, I. Baena 10, No. Vella 6,  M. Caruana 4, K. Portelli 9, L. Caruana Montaldo , S. Vella , M. Pollacco,  C. Mifsud 3

Referees: T. Mantere, I. Simic, M. Hraisha