Hibernians     85     Depiro     53

(20-13, 16-14, 27-13, 22-13)

Hibs recovered lost ground, after a loss against Starlites, beating Depiro comfortably, as both teams now have a win and a defeat. Hibs also avenged their Independence Cup loss, to Depiro, earlier on. Although the champions were in front from the start, Depiro were not so far behind, as they plodded on till the interval. In the second part of the encounter it was a different story, as Hibs took command, to steer clear of their opponents, and they repeated the dose in the last quarter, to emerge comfortable victors. Hibs had their Italian player, Silvia Gambino, injured in training, but Jasmine Abela was back in the side. Depiro had to make do without Andrea Mifsud.

Hibs raced to their first advantage, as Sam Brincat sank a brace of triples, with American, Amelia Simmons getting her hoops. The Paolites added on some more points, before Depirobegan to hit back, through Claire Ciantar points. Sophie Abela and Simmons increased Hibs' lead, with Depiro cutting down on their deficit. In teh second period Nicole Agius sank a Depiro trey, but Brincat did the same. for the champions. Then it was Steffi DeMartino making another Depiro triples she and American, Asjley Gray kept their side in the hunt. At the interval Hibs were on a 36-27 advantage.

After the break Jasmine Abela went on court, and promptly netted a trey, for Hibs. Depiro retaliated, making up a 7-0 run, but the Paolites were on a high, and subjected their adversaries to a flut of points, with Brincat also netting her fourth triple. More Simmons hoops and Emma Micallef free shots put the champions on a healthy 63-40 lead. In the last session it was Naomi Farrugia putting in a trey, for Hibs, as her side were still intent on increasing their advantage. DeMartino managed a second triple, for Depiro, who could not stop the Paolites from going further in front. Late in the match Micallef netted a trey for the champions, to stamp their superiority.

Hibs: E. Micallef 7, E. Cassar 2, K. Caruana 6, S. Brincat 16, I. Agius 2, J. Abela 2, S. Abela 8, A. Simmons 24, N. Farrugia 3, H. Al Tumi 2, M. Said 10, L. Duncan 2

Depiro: N. Agius 7, L. Camilleri, L. Vella, C. Camilleri 2, J. Schembri, S. DeMartino 10, D. Said Hollier 2, No. Agius, A. Gray 22, E. Cassar, C. Ciantar 10, N. Hili

Referees: Z. Dobrosavljevic, A. Ampadogannis, V. Nikolic

 

Starlites top the standings

Caffe Moak Luxol     65     Starlites GIG     77

(7-23, 10-22, 27-12, 21-20)

Starlites kept up their unbeaten record, since the start of the season, also grabbing an honour. Their victory put them at the top of the heap, after just two matches. It was also their second win over the Violets, after the Independence Cup, which they won. The match seemed done and dusted at the halfway stage, with Starlites on a heavy advantage. Luxol were a better side after the break and whittled down their deficit at a fast rate. they also came quite close, towards the end of the encounter, but Starlites held out, and also drew further ahead, to make sure of the result.  Luxol were without Beverlee Zammit and Noelene Vella, but Antoinette Borg recovered from her dental trouble. Starlites had two absentees, Maria Bonett and Michela Riolo.

Hibs seemed a lost outfit at the start, as Starlites ran rings around them, firing up a19-2 advantage, and beginning with a Stephanie Davies triple. The Violets recovered slightly, as Spaniard, Ina Baena, sank a trey. In the next session Luxol cut down their disadvantage further, through Sarah pace, but Starlites had Joey grima with a tripleand she made further points, as Starlites came up with a 10-0 run. Later on it was Kirsty Galea with a Starlites trey. Points at either end took the score to 45-17, at the interval.

After the break Luxol began to roll up their sleeves. A 9-2 run, with more Pace points, was followed by a 7-0 one, and Baena points, with a triple. Starlites tried to put a stop to the proceedings, and put in a 9-4 run. The Violets ended the session with another 7-0 run, as Pace made the points and Baena sank another triple, for a closer 44-57 score. Starlites netted a couple of hoops, but Luxol were playing confidently. Monique Caruana netted a trey, and later on it was Borg making a triple. Another 7-0 run, and a Pace trey, had Luxol getting dangerously close, but Starlites recovered. They ended the match on a 10-3 run as Spaniard, Patricia Arguello, put the win beyond any doubt, with Caruana grabbing a second triple, for the losers.  

Luxol: S. Pace 25, Ni. Vella 2, I. Baena 18, M. Caruana 6, K. Portelli 6, A. Borg 6, L. Caruana Montaldo, S. Vella, M. Pollacco ,  C. Mifsud 2

Starlites: K. Galea 10, S. Farrugia 4, M. Zammit Cordina 8, A. Micallef 6, C. Curmi 10, J. Grima 16, P. Arguello 12, M. Cutajar 4, S. Davies 5, A. Lupo 2

Referees: N. Azzopardi, Z. Dobrosavljevic, M. Hraisha