Hibernians beat Depiro and recover from opening defeat

Hibernians 85

Depiro 53

(20-13, 16-14, 27-13, 22-13)

Hibs recovered lost ground after a loss against Starlites beating Depiro comfortably as both teams now have a win and a defeat. Hibs also avenged their Independence Cup loss to Depiro earlier on.

Although the champions were in front from the start, Depiro were not so far behind as they plodded on till the interval.

In the second part of the encounter it was a different story as Hibs took command to steer clear of their opponents and they repeated the dose in the last quarter to emerge comfortable victors.

Hibs had their Italian player Silvia Gambino injured in training but Jasmine Abela was back in the side. Depiro had to make do without Andrea Mifsud.

Hibs raced to their first advantage as Sam Brincat sank a brace of triples with American Amelia Simmons getting her hoops. The Paolites added on some more points before Depiro began to hit back through Claire Ciantar points.

Sophie Abela and Simmons increased Hibs’ lead with Depiro cutting down on their deficit. In the second period Nicole Agius sank a Depiro trey but Brincat did the same for the champions.

Then it was Steffi DeMartino making another Depiro triple as she and American Asjley Gray kept their side in the hunt.

At the interval, Hibs were on a 36-27 advantage.

After the break, Jasmine Abela went on court and promptly netted a trey for Hibs. Depiro retaliated making up a 7-0 run but the Paolites were on a high with Brincat also netting her fourth triple.

More Simmons hoops and Emma Micallef free shots put the champions on a healthy 63-40 lead.

In the last session it was Naomi Farrugia putting in a trey for Hibs as her side were still intent on increasing their advantage. DeMartino managed a second triple for Depiro who could not stop the Paolites from going further in front.

Late in the match, Micallef netted a trey for the champions to stamp their superiority.

Hibernians: E. Micallef 7, E. Cassar 2, K. Caruana 6, S. Brincat 16, I. Agius 2, J. Abela 2, S. Abela 8, A. Simmons 24, N. Farrugia 3, H. Al Tumi 2, M. Said 10, L. Duncan 2

Depiro: N. Agius 7, L. Camilleri, L. Vella, C. Camilleri 2, J. Schembri, S. DeMartino 10, D. Said Hollier 2, No. Agius, A. Gray22, E. Cassar, C. Ciantar 10, N. Hili

Referees: Z. Dobrosavljevic, A. Ampadogannis, V. Nikolic