Medsea off to winning start

Hibs Medsea 66
Depiro Mcdonald's 59
(14-10, 14-15, 19-10, 19-24)

Hibs halted a negative sequence against women's league final rivals Depiro to chalk up the first point in the best-of-three final series.

The champions opened a comfortable lead but thereafter struggled to cope with Depiro's press tactics and almost finished empty-handed.

With Alexis Darmanin and Caroline Fenech in fine form, Hibs potted the first 10 points but Depiro hit back strongly to close the gap to four points by the end of the first quarter, 14-10.

Again, Hibs had the better start to the session but Depiro levelled matters at 23-23. The champions, however, went in for the break 28-25 in front thanks to a Kirsten Micallef three-pointer.

Hibs regained the initiative after the interval to open a 47-32 lead but Depiro, with Kalia Agius leading their charge in attack, again produced a prompt reply to move within a basket, 61-59, of their opponents with a minute left.

At this stage, Darmanin came to Hibs' rescue after converting three free-throws to put her team on way to retaining the title.

Hibs: C. Fenech 13, E. Cassar, D. Cassar, L. Bezzina 3, M. Desrira 1, D. Micallef 14, A. Darmanin 20, N. Mifsud 2, K. Micallef 13, E. Micallef.

Depiro: S. Pace 19, C. Riolo, S. Tabone, K. Busuttil 2, R. Camilleri 9, J. Busuttil Gaerty, A. Borg 4, A. Demanuele, G. Zarb 3, S. Micallef 2, K. Agius 20.

Women's league final (leg 2): Friday, 2.30 p.m.