Depiro go straight into the Play Off final
Depiro 65 Starlites JSD 59 (24‑9, 20‑22, 15‑14, 6‑14)
This top of the table game guar‐ anteed the winner an automatic entry into the Play Off final, with the loser having to play a best‐of‐ three semi final against Luxol. The two teams were on their sixth seasonal meeting , with both sides already with an hon‐ our under their belt, as Depiro had won the K.O. final, against Luxol, and Starlites had bagged the Super Cup, also against Luxol, on the first day of the sea‐ son. On their part Luxol had won the Shield final against Starlites, to complete the merry go round.
Depiro were ahead for the en‐ tire encounter, and they were easing away from their adver‐ saries at will, opening up a max‐ imum seventeen point advantage.
When it looked as if they could coast home without any trouble, up came the champions with a game ending flurry, which had them just a triple away. Depiro were flustered, seeing that their game long dominance was threatened so severely, but man‐ age to compose themselves at the end, and netted the last points of the match to deny Star‐ lites any chance of a reprieve from their predicament. They are still defending their league honour won last season, but they now have a double date.
They first have to dispose of perennial opponents, Luxol, in the semis, and then have to face Depiro, who are now in the final, waiting to see who their adver‐ saries are going to be. Luxol, of course, will have other ideas.
Depiro started off well, with Kristy Galea netting her opening trey early on, as she finished up with a nap hand of triples. Star‐ lites came back twice nearer their opponents, but Depiro were in the mood, and an 11‐0 run had them on velvet.
In the next period Starlites tried to remedy matters, but they could only share the play with Depiro, who kept the champions at arms' length, and the double figure advantage was still there halfway through the match, with Depiro enjoying a favourable 44‐ 31 score.
After the break the balanced game continued, but Depiro were comfortable with their lead. They repelled Starlites from gaining any ground on them, and with just the last quarter to play they were still dictating matters, with a strong 59‐45 score at their backs.
Starlites came out strongly, with skipper, Steffi DeMartino , spearheading their push. The lead began to be whittled down, and this time Depiro were un‐ able to stop proceedings.
Starlites went to within a triple, with time enough to produce a surprise, but Depiro managed to get their act in place once more, catching their opponents on the break. Their three point haul was enough to stop Starlites' progress, and they held out till the end, to claim the sole top spot, and a straight entry into the Play Off final.
Depiro: S. Abela 12, N. Agius , J. Xerri 12, J.Mallia , L. Sciberras 2, N. Agius , C. Cianter 6, J. Borg 4, JA Johnson 6, M. Micallef , N. Borg , K. Galea 23
Starlites: M. Zammit Cordina 7, M. Riolo 5, A. Saliba 9, M. Fenech , M. Bonett 2, S. DeMartino 26, P. Cannon 8, P. Riolo , C. Cilia , M. Sciberras , E. Deguiorgio , C. Curmi 2
Referees: B. Vassallo, G. Bar‐ bara, N. Azzopardi
BOV League ‑ Men 1 Div.
Starlites consolidate top position
Luxol 79 Starlites JSD 91 (24‑23, 16‑22, 14‑27, 26‑19)
Luxol: S. Pace 7, I. Azzopardi , N. Jovanovic 16, A. Azzopardi 13, JP Schembri 12, N. Xuereb6 ,P. Engelbert , M. Matijevic 12, S. Cappello 14
Starlites: A. Felice Pace 10, C. Hinckson 4, M. Attard 8 , S. Aquilina3, I. Felice Pace , K. Fabri 1, M. Scerri 12, D. Craven 10, L. Farrugia 7, L. Riolo , N. Sultana , K. James 36
Referees: F. Ciurariu, N. Rin‐ con, D. Farrugia
Depiro continue on winning streak
Mellieha Libertas 90 Sigma Depiro 98 (20‑21, 25‑25, 26‑28, 19‑24)
Mellieha: T. Wolfe 18, D. Bugeja 9, R. Bonnici 8, I. Bonett , R. Carabo2, A. Peacock 19, K. Thompson 27, E. Valdespina 3, C. Mercurio 4
Depiro: S. Galea5 , L. Trapani , A. Aquilina4 , A. Hollins 26, A. Micallef , K. Rooks 23, M. Brincat 12, M. Mallia 11, C. Cornelius 10, N. Bukva7, M. Debattista
Referees: N. Azzopardi, N. Rin‐ con, F. Fabok
Paolites in fourth seasonal win over Valletta
Hibernians 99 Valletta Fighters 65 (22‑10, 20‑22, 25‑23, 32‑10)
Hibs: P. Attard5, L. Attard 10, L. Farrugia 21, A. Axiaq 11, R. Aquilina 10, M. Attard 8, I. Dem‐ cesen 25, S. Simic 9
Valletta: N. Da Silva 2, S. Saakian , R. Curmi 4, A. Attared 8, M. Farrugia4 , F. Lisondra7, U. Satyanarayan 21, N. Cassar 19
Referees: N. Azzopardi, F. Fabok, G, Russo