Depiro McDonalds and Luxol, the top two contenders in the women’s league this season, will go head-to-head in the BOV knockout final after clear-cut victories over Honey Athleta and Hibs respectively in the weekend semi-finals.

Depiro had a bad start as Athleta potted the first ten points of the tie to take an early edge.

But Depiro surpassed the difficult moment and by the end of the first quarter they were already 14-12 in the lead.

Depiro continued where they left off as the second quarter got underway to increase their lead to 25-14 and change ends 37-24 in front.

Sam Brincat and Steffi DeMartino were in fine form for Depiro and Athleta were never in the match after the break, going on to concede a 70-44 defeat to stronger opponents.

In the other semi-final, Luxol beat Hibs 71-40 to book their place in the final of the competition.

In their previous outing, Luxol had suffered their first upset of the season after going down 68-66 to the Loyola girls in the league.

However, on Sunday they showed more cohesion in the team and never allowed Hibs to surprise them once they had seized the initiative.

Hibs were still in contention until the end of the first quarter (15-12). They also went on to level the score at 22-all but succumbed to Luxol’s strong reaction who opened a 34-24 lead at the break.

The opening stages of the third session were evenly shared but gradually Luxol started to impose their superiority.

In the end, their place in the final was never in doubt as Hibs wilted under the pressure.

Next fixtures

Women’s League
Saturday: 14.45 Depiro vs Qormi.
Sunday: 11.15 Starlites vs Loyola; 14.45 Hibs vs Athleta.

Men’s League
Saturday: 16.30 Siġġiewi vs Depiro.
Sunday: 13.00 Loyola vs Athleta; 16.30 Floriana vs Luxol.