Arms Depiro    66    Hibernians     77        

 (15-17, 6-26, 21-16 24-18)

Hibs started the second round of play, with their fourth victory over their adversaries, as they consolidated their top spot in the rankings. Three out of four quarters of play were quite balanced, as Depiro, fresh from their progress into the K.O. final, the Sunday before, gave as much as they got, even if they were missing a brace of important players, skipper, Claire Ciantar, and Nicole Agius. The session which brought about Depiro's downfall was the second one, as the Paolites started and ended this period on a high, to steer completely clear of their opponents, and establish a winning margin of points. Depiro did cut down on their large deficit, after the break, but they were still at a distance, which enabled Hibs to play with confidence, and coach, Silvia Gambino, could indulge in several substitutions, giving bench players more minutes on court. The Paolites also had an absentee, Julia Xerri.

Hibs began their day's work with a three-bucket spread, with Depiro answering back with a couple of American, Hannah Johnson hoops, as she finished as the game's top scorer. The Paolites had Ashleigh Van Vliet and their American, Amelia Simmons, to open up another lead, which was whittled down to a single hoop, till the end of the period. Depiro were nowhere near their opponents in the next session, as Hibs romped through the opposing defence, and limited Depiro to just half a dozen points, till the interval. Besides Simmons, they had Ylenia Bonett with her fast breaks, and Naomi Farrugia nailing two triples. Depiro's Martina Scicluna also netted a trey, but Hibs finished the session with a strong 15-0 run, to lead 43-21.

After the break Depiro tried to start their way back, putting in a 12-2 run, but when Hibs recovered, they made up a 10-4 run, opening another solid advantage. Depiro's free throws had them creeping nearer, but the Paolites were comfortable in their lead, at 59-42, going into the last quarter. Depiro were still making up for their loss of points, as they pierced their opponents' zone on various occasions. Johnson's tally was still rising, and there was also Shanise Farrugia coming off the bench, with her knack of obtaining triples, as she bagged two. Hibs were still easing through the match, with Van Vliet all over the court, and hitting her points, keeping her side on a double-digit advantage right till the end, as the Paolites made up for their disappointment at being unable to defend the K.O. honour, they won last season, when they were eliminated last Sunday.

Depiro: No. Agius 2, Jasmine Mallia, N. Ebejer 2, J. Borg, D. Said Hollier 4, M. Scicluna 7, N. Hili 8, S. Farrugia 8, N. Hili, A.M. Galea, N. Borg, H. Johnson 29, E. Cassar

Hibs: I. Agius 1, A. Van Vliet 25, S. Brincat 2, L. Duncan 4, J. Abela, C. Camilleri 2, Y. Bonett 6, N. Farrugia 8, K. Calleja 1, K. Caruana 4, M. Buhagiar, A. Simmons 24  

Referees: B. Vassallo, L. Camilleri, S. Jafilica