Late points ensure Hibs’ victory over Depiro

Depiro Hibernians (7-20, 13-3, 11-10, 9-12) 40 45

Hibs were set for a runaway victory after the opening session but Depiro returned, winning the next two sessions and they only succumbed in the last stages of the encounter after going on level terms.

Martina Scicluna returned to the Depiro side but remained on the bench. Hibs made use of seven players from a full bench for this match.

Hibs were off to a solid start going on an 11-0 advantage as Sam Brincat netted a triple and Rachel Kehoe made her hoops.

Steffi DeMartino replied twice for Depiro but the Paolites were going quite well at this stage making up a 9-3 run till the end of the period as Brincat sank another trey and her side sped well in front.

In the second period, the page turned as Depiro began with a Tina Mifsud triple going on to a 10-2 run. Hibs found difficulty in obtaining points and Mifsud sank a very late second triple with Depiro going quite close on a 20-23 score at the interval.

After the break, the Paolites managed to hold on to their small lead as Alexis Lloyd made a brace of hoops for Depiro.

The latter side then jumped in front with a Claire Ciantar hoop but Hibs twice went ahead in the little time remaining for a slight 3331 advantage.

In the last period, Depiro twice tied the score and a DeMartino trey had the teams on a par yet again. Julia Scerri points took the Paolites on another lead but Depiro had the teams level once more.

Late points from Sophie Abela and Silvia Gambino had Hibs on their second win in three league matches as Depiro ended their first round of play with an even score of two wins and two defeats.

Depiro: M. Scicluna, T. Mifsud 6, C. Camilleri, M. Bonett 1, S. DeMartino 17, N. Agius, No. Agius, J. Xuereb, A. Lloyd 8, C. Ciantar 8

Hibs: E. Micallef, E. Cassar 6, S. Gambino 7, S. Brincat 12, I. Agius, J. Abela, S. Abela 4, K. Caruana, N. Farrugia, R. Kehoe 11, K. Calleja, J. Scerri 5 Referees: E. Mangani, S. Micallef, Z. Dobrosavljevic