Starlites GIG     66     Caffe Moak Luxol     45

(16-7, 14-17, 19-10, 17-11)

Starlites' run continues, as they made their way into another final, having already bagged the Independence Cup. Their Spanish coach, David Baudot, keeps on playing all his players, in the shortest time possible, and this doesn't seem to upset his side's play. Starlites were beating Luxol for the third time this season. The Violets were thereabouts till the interval, but fell further behind, after the break, and they couldn't get near enough, to make any difference to the result, and Starlites made doubly sure, midway through the last quarter, with their last run of points. Starlites still await Michela Riolo's return on court, and Luxol had Sharon Vella missing.

Kirsty Galea's free shots, for Starlites, had the Violets answering with a Monique Caruana triple, but Starlites then came up with a 10-0 run, to push ahead. Points at either end kept Starlites' advantage the same. In the next session Starlites kept their lead, until Luxol made up a 7-0 run, ending with the Spaniard, Ina Baena's triple. Starlites were again with a better lead, but Baena put in more points, and a second trey. Till the end of the period the Violets crept nearer, and the interval had them 24-30 behind.

After the break Starlites increased their lead slightly, but Kay Portelli sank a Luxol triple. Free shots had Starlites edging away once more, and though the Violets sought to get back, and Baena netted her third trey, more Maria Bonett points took Starlites to a better 49-34 advantage. In the last quarter Luxol made an early effort, and produced a three-hoop spread, but Starlites ' reply was a solid 13-0 run, which assured them of the result. Late points, with a triple, from Luxol's Sarah Pace, and an Anthea hoop, for Starlites, closed down the encounter, as Starlites made their first ever final, in this competition.

Starlites:  M. Zammit Cordina , K. Galea 6, S. Farrugia 10, M. Bonett  13, A. Micallef 4, C. Curmi 5, J. Grima 15, P. Arguello 10, M. Cutajar 2, S. Davies, A. Lupo 1

Luxol: S. Pace 19, M. Caruana 5, Ni. Vella 2, I. Baena 12, No. Vella 2, K. Portelli 3, A. Borg 2, L. Caruana Montaldo, M. Pollacco, C. Mifsud  

Referees: K. Dworniczak, C. Xuereb, I. Simic

 

Hibernians     83     Depiro     44

(16-13, 22-5, 24-12, 21-14)

Hibs disposed of Depiro, as they try to better their nine successes in this Shield, the side with the most number of wins. They also had their setbacks, finishing up as losing finalists eight times. The champions overcame an uncertain start, went ahead, and never looked back, as they extended their advantages time went on, with the match wrapped up, midway through the third session. Hibs recalled Hannah Al Tumi and Naomi Farrugia, in lieu of Elena Pace and Kaya Calleja, with the latter then taking the absent, Maria Said's place. The Italian, Silvia Gambino, will start training this week, after her long injury. Depiro were missing the services of Steffi de Martino, abroad, with Andrea Mifsud also out of the side, due to another engagement.

Depiro were first off the mark, making up a 9-2 run, as Nicole Agius sank her free shots. Amelia Simmons then began her hauling of points, taking her side ahead, with Sam Brincat sinking a couple late triples, to hold off the opponents. The second period had the champions putting their stamp on the match, as Depiro were limited to a handful of free throws. Elena Cassar and Simmons began for the Paolites, who then had Al Tumi coming off the bench, to put in her three hoops, leaving Depiro stranded behind. At the interval Hibs had gone on to a 38-18 advantage.

After the break there was still no let up for Depiro, as the Paolites were still smelling blood. A hefty 16-1 start made sure of the result, as Brincat and new entry, Naomi Farrugia, netted triples. Depiro were more in the picture, and Claire Ciantar put in a rare trey, later on, but Hibs' advantage didn't waver, and they were still 62-30 ahead. In the last period Brincat and Farrugia again sank triples, with Ciantar and American, Ashley Gray, reacting for Depiro. Sophie Abela hoops and more Al Tumi points extended Hibs' advantage, as Depiro failed to keep up their early session efforts, only managing late points in the match. Starlites, and Hibs, will be seeking their second seasonal honour, as Starlites began with the Independence Cup, and the champions followed up with the Super Cup.

Hibs: E. Micallef 1, E. Cassar 5, K. Caruana, S. Brincat 12, I. Agius 4, J. Abela, S. Abela 6, A. Simmons 31, N. Farrugia 6, H. Al Tumi 14, K. Calleja 2, L. Duncan 2

Depiro: N. Agius 5, C. Camilleri, No. Agius 2, D. Said Hollier 6, M. Scicluna, A. Gray 18, E. Cassar, C. Ciantar 11, N. Hili 2

Referees: K. Dworniczak, M. Hraisha, C. Pollet