Athleta chase the league leaders

Gzira Athleta 71 Hibernians 66 (12-13, 20-20, 20-13, 19-20)

Athleta had to pull out all the stops to register their vicotry over the Paolites and it was a late surge that had them breasting the finishing line ahead of their opponents.

Athleta had several players missing but the Paolites were also without a couple of players.

Hibs led till the interval with Athleta tying the score at the end of each session only for Hibs to net a free shot and go back ahead. Hibs were being led by Trudy Armstead with a helping hand by Julia Scerri.

Athleta were relying on Amelia Simmons and Antoinette Borg went on court to net a couple of triples to draw her side nearer. The Paolites were just 33-32 in front halfway through the match.

After the break, Athleta went ahead for the first time and stayed there till the end of the period with a 52-46 score.

Hibs overturned the score in the last session with Athleta twice getting on level terms. Hibs’ last advantage was annulled as Athleta finished off the game with a 9-0 run mainly by Simmons to help her side to go just behind the champions in second place.

Athleta: C. Grima 19, L. Sciberras 7, A. Simmons 30, D. Said Hollier 5, A. Borg 6, J. Schembri , S. Vella 4, C. Mifsud

Hibs: E. Micallef 3, E. Cassar 11, S. Gambino 9, I. Agius 10, K. Caruana, K. Portanier Mifsud, T. Armstead 17, A. Marinkovic, J. Scerri 16

Referees: B. Vassallo, C. Farrugia, J. Mangani