Hibs close in on eighth league title

There was another scoring spree in the women's league last Sunday as no fewer than 14 goals were scored in the two matches played at the Independence Arena, Floriana.

Champions Hibernians moved closer to a successful defence of their title when they outclassed Sta Venera Lightnings 6-0.

The Paolites are currently enjoying a 10-point lead over second-placed Melita who also won at a canter on Sunday, beating Rabat Ajax 8-0.

Hibernians need only take six points from their remaining four matches to secure their eighth championship crown.

Against the Lightnings, Hibernians dominated proceedings, taking a 2-0 lead by the end of the first 45 minutes.

Dionne Tonna threatened early on with a header that was parried to a corner by Sta Venera goalkeeper Sharon Costantino.

Hibs forged ahead after 17 minutes when Ylenia Carabott hit an angled shot past the diving Costantino. On 31 minutes, the Sta Venera goalkeeper denied Hibs with a fine save on a Dorianne Theuma shot.

Three minutes later, Hibs doubled their advantage when Theuma fed Carabott who slotted the ball past the onrushing Costantino.

Carabott completed her hat-trick on 53 minutes when she profited from a poor goalkick by the Sta Venera keeper to lob the ball home for her 21st goal of the campaign.

The floodgates were now open and six minutes later Tessie Agius turned past her marker to score the league's 200th goal of the season.

Sta Venera's reaction failed to arrive and Hibs added two more goals from Tonna (75) and Theuma (80) to seal a comfortable win.

Sunday's second fixture was another mismatch as Melita put eight goals past Rabat to move back into second place in the standings.

At the interval, Melita were already seven goals to the good. Ingrid Vassallo scored a first-half hat-trick, Ruth Steerchetham was on target twice and the other goals came from Natasha Pace and Oriana Bedingfield.

The second half had little to offer. With the three points already secured, Melita eased the pressure on their embattled opponents but they still managed to score another goal, their eighth of the game, thanks to Jackie Abdilla.

Teams' Line-ups:

Hibernians: R. Tagliaferro, L.A. Galea, L. Shead (L. Caruana), M. Debono, S. Debono (T. Agius), M. Azzopardi (O. Borg), D. Tonna, H. Wadefalk (S. Caruana), D. Theuma, K. Saliba, Y. Carabott (C. Sciberras).

Sta Venera: S. Costantino, R. Gatt, A. Vella, A. Farrugia, F. Mangion, S. Vella, O. Cassar, S. Bray (M. Cardona), T. Briffa, Y. Debono, G. Calleja.

Rabat: M. Tabone, C. Caruana, D. Agius, H. Rota, M. Gibson, J. Bonnici, E. Xerri Mullan, L. Saliba Farrugia, J. Zahra, D. Debono, C. Galea.

Melita: S. Zammit, D. Allingham, J. Ellul Soler, C. Scicluna, J. Abdilla, N. Pace, R. D' Agostino, R. Steerchetham, L. Tabone, P. Borg, I. Vassallo.