Depiro and Luxol on maximum points

Depiro McDonald’s are the sole leaders of the Women’s National League after handing Alyssa Ashley Loyola their first upset in the championship to go top of the standings with full points from five matches.

Luxol, who trounced Qormi last weekend, also have a perfect record but played a match less than Depiro as Hibs Melita Gardens returned to winning ways with victory over Starlites Sports Experience.

Depiro had Sam Brincat and Vontisha Woods missing but were still better than Loyola.

However, it was only in the second quarter that Depiro did manage to open a six-point lead (22-16) which they preserved until half-time (29-22).

One expected more from Loyola after the interval but it was Depiro who held the initiative to increase their lead to 40-26.

Loyola did well to reduce the gap to nine points (49-40) as the last quarter got underway but Depiro were always a cut above their opponents to finish 63-54 winners.

Luxol met little resistance from Qormi as the final 100-31 indicates.

Luxol had an outstanding start as they potted the opening 33 points of the match before allo-wing Qormi to come back but the score at half-time stood 53-15.

Qormi were streets behind Luxol who went on to chalk up a convincing 100-point win.

After three consecutive upsets, Hibs were back on track last weekend. Victory was never in doubt as Hibs were already 27-2 ahead at the end of the first quarter and 45-8 at half-time.

Hibs continued to ooze confi-dence for a clear 89-32 win.

Standings: Depiro 10 (5-0), Luxol 8 (4-0), Loyola 7 (3-1), Hibs 7 (2-3), Athleta 5 (1-3), Starlites 4 (0-4), Qormi 4 (0-4).

Top scorers: L. Gipson (Hibs) 87, R. Murphy (Luxol) 84, A. Ratomska (Athleta) 81, D. Johnson (Loyola) 68, C. Grima (Loyola) 68.

Sunday: BOV KO final 16.30, Hibs vs Depiro.