Hibs Medsea secure slot in final

Hibs Medsea, the reigning champions, won their second consecutive match in the Championship Pool to make sure of a place in the play-off final. The other slot is being contested by Luxol and Depiro.

In the Relegation Pool, Sliema Wanderers stretched their positive run with a win against Kerygma while St James Hospital easily disposed of SN Suns.

Despite playing without the injured Beverly Zammit and Emma Moore, Luxol gave a good account of themselves. They held the initiative in the first three quarters but Hibs stormed ahead at the beginning of the final session and held on for an important victory.

After a balanced start, Luxol opened a five-point lead, 11-6, with Hibs recovering in the last minute to level at 11-all. Luxol bounced back to go 21-14 up as Hibs narrowed the gap to three points till the half-time whistle, 23-20.

With both sides unable to conclude their attacking moves, Luxol led by a single point, 30-29, as the last quarter got underway.

Seven consecutive points edged Hibs ahead and hard as they tried, Luxol could not cancel the deficit.

Hibs won 44-39. Kristen Micallef, formerly of Luxol, was the match top-scorer with 16 points.

In the Relegation Pool, the Wanderers were never troubled by Kerygma as they ran out clear winners, 64-46. After potting the first 14 points, Sliema went on to lead 27-12 at half-time.

Kerygma did their best to get back in contention but their efforts were easily controlled by Sliema until the final whistle.

St James Hospital took control of their match against SN Suns from the jumpball to register an emphatic 96-38 victory.

Standings

Championship Pool: Hibs 27 (13-1), Luxol 22 (10-3), Depiro 21 (9-4).

Relegation Pool:
Sliema Wanderers 20 points (6-8), St James Hospital 18 (5-8), Kerygma 14 (4-9), SN Suns 12 (0-14).

Top scorers

Championship Pool: J. Cardona (Depiro) 170, R. Camilleri ( Depiro) 163, K. Micallef (Hibs) 148.

Top scorers: L. Sciberras (Sliema) 153, J. Calleja (Kerygma) 145, C. Galea (Sliema) 135, D. Hollier (St James) 135.

Next fixtures

Peugeot League:
Tomorrow - 6.15 p.m. Sliema vs St James.
Thursday - 6.15 p.m. Kerygma vs SN Suns; 7.45 p.m. Luxol vs Depiro.
Sunday - 11 a.m. SN Suns vs Sliema; 12.45 p.m. Kerygma vs St James; 2.30 p.m. Depiro vs Hibs.

Gatorade league:
Tomorrow - 7.45 p.m. Siggiewi vs Luxol.
Saturday - 4.15 p.m. Mellieha vs Depiro.
Sunday - 4.15 p.m. Compleet IS vs BUPA Luxol.