Luxol in control from the start

Luxol had quite a scare in the KO preliminary as they were nearly ousted out by Starlites but against Depiro they were a confident lot even though they had Christine Curmi, who played a great match against Starlites, missing through a foot injury.

Depiro included the young Lithuanian Mante Balzaraviciute as she is now eligible to play. This game could also be termed as a revenge by Luxol who were eliminated by Depiro in the Shield semi final thus depriving them of a third consecutive honour after the Independence Cup and the Super Cup.

Luxol raced into an 8-2 advantage with Sam Brincat netting a Depiro triple soon afterwards. Lindsey Lessard’s free shots had Luxol in a better lead and though Brincat again replied for Depiro there was still Lessard putting in the points for the Violets for a better opening session advantage.

In the second period, Luxol were helped in their quest with their triples. Beverlee Zammit, Ina Medina and Kay Portelli netted theirs as their side opened up the advantage. Claire Ciantar was the main scorer for Depiro who were trailing 24-36 at the interval.

After the break Maria Bonett sank a Depiro trey but Paula Ellul and Lessard points had the champions on a slightly better lead.Portelli netted a second trey for the Violets along with others from Sarah Pace and Ellul.

Martina Scicluna came off the bench for Depiro to also sink a triple but Luxol’s dominance had them on a solid 60-41 advantage.

In the last quarter Luxol were intent on denying their adversaries any occasions to creep nearer and their objective was being reached as Medina netted a second triple.

Late in the match Depiro managed to cut down slightly on their deficit with a brace of Nicole Agius treys but they were still at a distance giving Luxol no worries till the end of the encounter.

Luxol: S. Pace 5, B. Zammit 6, M. Mercieca 5, I. Baena Medina 7, M. Darmanin 8, S. DeMartino, K. Portelli 6, A. Calleja, P. Ellul 12, N. Vella, L. Lessard 28

Depiro: A. Mifsud 2, G. Mifsud 3, M. Balzaraviciute, S. Brincat 21, M. Bonett13, C. Camilleri 3, N. Agius 8, M. Scicluna 5, L. vella, M. Micallef, T. DeMartino, C. Ciantar 9

Referees: G. Barbara, C. Farrugia