Depiro     62     Caffe Moak Luxol     72

(23-11, 11-21, 14-21, 14-19

Depiro already had a heavy advantage, from the first game, and a powerful start had them on velvet, but then they had to endure Luxol's comeback, in the next three sessions. The Violets went close, on aggregate, in the last period, but Depiro held out, and made sure, even though Luxol had a fine ending, but time was against them. It was really the first game that let Luxol down, as Depiro finally were quite happy to concede defeat, in the second one, banking on their substantial advantage, form two matches.

Luxol were hit early on, even if Monique Caruana netted an early triple. Depiro then had Gaby Mifsud, Steffi DeMartino and Nicole Agius sinking treys, and American, Ashley Gray, netting free shots, as they embarked on a long 18-4 run, which conditioned the game. Depiro were still well ahead, after the opening period. In the second quarter play was shared more, as DeMartino continued to put in her points, but Luxol had Kay Portelli, also with a trey, and American, Alexis Dillard, netting hoops. A late 8-0 run had the Violets going to within a hoop, with Depiro just 34-32 ahead, at the interval.

After the break Luxol went in front, but DeMartino sank a second Depiro triple. A10-0 run took Luxol to a good advantage. Depiro hit back, and went closer, but the Violets were still leading 53-48. In the last session Luxol increased their lead, as Spaniard, Ina Baena, and Sarah pace sank a triples, and they were closer still, to the aggregate score. Depiro inched closer, giving the Violets a more difficult target, as Luxol lost their mentor, German, Christoff Stolp, on two technical fouls. In the remaining time Luxol had their last fling, with Pace nailing a brace of treys, along with another, from Caruana, whilst Depiro had Martina Scicluna netting her trey. There was no time left for Luxol, who were not yet within reach at the end. Depiro could stake their place, as the first side into the final.

Depiro: No. Agius, N. Agius 15, G. Mifsud 5, C. Camilleri, D. Agius, S. De Martino 19, D. Said Hollier 4, M. Scicluna 3, N. Hili, C. Ciantar, A. Mifsud, A. Gray 16

Luxol: S. Pace 17, M. Caruana 11, Ni. Vella, I. Baena 5,  K. Portelli 9, A. Borg, A. Dillard 24, L. Caruana Montaldo, C. Mifsud 6

Referees: T. Mantere, C. Xuereb, C. Pollet

 

Hibernians     54     Starlites GIG     56

Agg: 110-99

(4-17, 19-15, 10-12, 21-12)

Hibs began the match on a good eleven-point advantage, from the first game, but this was wiped out by a rampant Starlites side, in the opening period. Hibs dragged themselves back, late in the second session, and survived another score, after the break. Starlites didn’t last the pace of the game, even if they were still ahead, on the day, but what was important, for the Paolites, was the aggregate score, which they held on to, and made sure of, in the last stages of the encounter. They will cross swords with Depiro, in the final, in February of next year.

Hibs were swept off their feet, at the start of the match, as Starlites were swift off the block, making up an opening 10-1 start. The champions could only reply through sporadic hoops, as Starlites had Joey Grima in early form. In the second period both Spaniard, Patricia Arguello, for Starlites, and Hibs' Elena Cassar sank triples. Starlites were still extending their lead, holding a good aggregate lead, but the latter stages of the session had the Paolites gaining ground, as an 8-0 run, with Sam Brincat and American, Amelia Simmons, triples made their mark. Hibs were just ahead, on two matches, at the interval, though 23-32 behind.

After the break Starlites again pounced, and Hibs had to chase once more. They did so with Brincat and Emma Micallef treys, which had them on an aggregate tie, as they trailed on the day, on a 33-44 score. The last quarter had the Paolites edging ahead, on two matches, but Starlites tied the score, after another Arguello triple. Hibs made a decisive spurt, with an 8-2 run, leaving their opponents staring uphill. Starlites were still a few points short of claiming a place in the final, and they never quite made it. The champions stayed just out of reach, and late free throws closed down the match for them, as Starlites were unable to muster a last effort, leaving the Paolites with a clear run to the final, to meet Depiro, next February. 

Hibs: E. Micallef 3, E. Cassar 5, K. Calleja, S. Brincat 12, I. Agius 2, J. Abela, S. Abela 6, A. Simmons 16, N. Farrugia, H. Al Tumi, K. Caruana, L. Duncan 10    

Starlites: M. Zammit Cordina 4, K. Galea 5, A. Micallef 2, S. Farrugia, M. Bonett 11, H. Acreman, C. Curmi 2, J. Grima 11, P. Arguello 17, M. Cutajar 4, M. Riolo, F. Fabok 

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