Hibernians just a game away from winning the league title
Caffe Moak Luxol Hibernians (9-19, 6-14, 15-10, 11-13) The first match was taken to the second overtime but in this second one, the Paolites were in control from the start as they swept to their second victory and now need just another win from the remaining three games to stamp their 15th league success.
They took the match in hand in the latter part of the opening session and from then on it was plain sailing for them.
After Luxol’s opening hoop it was Hibs making up a 7-0 run as Sam Brincat, the heroine in the first win, sank a triple. Luxol recovered briefly to put in a 7-2 run with a Cristina Sollami trey and tie the score.
Till the remainder of the period it was Hibs who registered a 10-0 run to take a hold on the game as Sophie Abela, ironically on loan from the same Luxol, netted the last three hoops.
In the next session, Hibs continued with their march as Silvia Gambino, a non-stop machine, and Brincat once more netted their triples.
Luxol made a sort of recovery but their paltry three hoops were always being replied to by the lively Hibs lasses.
At the interval, the Paolites’ heavy advantage had grown and Hibs were enjoying a solid 33-15 lead at the interval.
After the break, Luxol gave the impression that they were going to make a game of it as Maria Brown and Sollami made their baskets but the Paolites had Julia Scerri to react for them.
Luxol managed a three hoop spread with a brace of Christine Curmi hoops but Hibs also made their points to go into the last session on a healthy 43-30 advantage despite Luxol’s reduction of their deficit.
The last quarter was really decided as Hibs opened well enough to increase their lead. Luxol couldn’t amass a number of points together and Hibs were controlling without much hassle. Free shots enhanced the Paolites’ score with Sarah Pace finally sinking a trey when these triples were needed earlier on to make an impact.
Next Sunday Hibs could be crowned champions if Luxol, the outgoing champions, do not pull something out of the bag to halt their stride.
S. Pace 5, Ni. Vella, I. Baena Medina 2, No. Vella, K. Portelli, L. Caruana Montaldo, M. Brown 13, C. Sollami 9, C. Curm 12.
E. Micallef, E. Cassar 4, S. Gambino 7, S. Brincat 9, I. Agius, J. Abela, S. Abela 14, K. Caruana, N. Farrugia, R. Kehoe 12, M. Said 4, J. Scerr 6i Mangani, T. Mantere, N. Azzopardi
Avellino-Cittadella ............................ 0-2 Brescia-Frosinone ............................ 1-2 Carpi-Empoli .................................... 0-0 Cremonese-Novara .......................... 1-1 Entella-Ascoli .................................... 1-1 Foggia-Spezia ................................... 2-1 Parma-Ternana ................................. 2-0 Pescara-Cesena ................................ 0-0 Pro Vercelli-Venezia ......................... 0-2 Perugia-Salernitana .......................... 1-1
Standings
Empoli Parma Palermo Frosinone Venezia Bari Cittadella Perugia Foggia Carpi Spezia Salernitana Brescia Pescara Cremonese Cesena Avellino Novara Virtus Entella Ascoli Ternana Pro Vercelli 38 22 11 5 83 47 77 38 18 9 11 51 35 63 38 16 15 7 53 36 63 38 16 14 8 59 44 62 38 15 15 8 51 36 60 38 16 12 10 53 45 60 38 16 10 12 54 45 58 38 16 10 12 63 51 58 38 14 9 15 60 63 51 38 12 14 12 31 42 50 38 12 14 12 40 39 50 38 10 17 11 49 54 47 38 11 13 14 38 46 46 38 11 12 15 49 62 45 38 8 19 11 41 43 43 38 9 15 14 52 60 42 38 9 14 15 45 56 41 38 10 11 17 39 48 41 38 9 13 16 39 51 40 38 10 10 18 37 58 40 38 7 16 15 58 68 37 38 8 13 17 44 60 37