Luxol 79
Depiro 76

(14-23, 21-20, 22-14, 22-19)

This decider for the U-23 title resulted in a keenly contested match with only a mere three points separating the two sides that dominated the entire St James Hospital League campaign this season.

Luxol’s foreigner Pierce Cumpstone was the man of the match. He was a constant threat to the opponents, potting no fewer than 43 points to lead his side to the win.

Depiro held most of the lead during the game but could not get back in contention in the final moments.

In fact, Depiro opened strongly with points coming from import player DJ Mason as Robert Bonnici came more into the picture in the second quarter. At half-time, Depiro led the way 43-35.

Cumpstone and Bonnici replied to each other’s treys in the third quarter but then consecutive points from Keith Dimech helped Luxol tie the score at 57-57 with ten minutes to go.

The lead alternated in the last quarter but the closing stages saw Cumpstone bang in the match-winning free-throws with Depiro’s desperate buzzer-beating attempt failing the mark.

Luxol: CJ Cordina 12, J. Borg Millo, J. Maistre, K. Dimech 12, M. Sjoberg, P. Cumpstone 43, S. Cappello 12.

Depiro: J. Attard, S. Zammit 3, R. Bonnici 27, D. Schembri 10, R. Xuereb, N. Grech 3, T. Zammit, E. Briffa, DJ Mason 19, K. Xuereb 14, M. Borg, M. Agius.

Referees: E. Mangani, S. Micallef, Z. Dobrosavljevic.

Girls’ U-16 final

Hibernians 43
Starlites 61

(0-17, 20-12, 4-20, 19-12)

A dream start for Starlites paved the way for their success as they beat Hibernians for the third time this season to claim the U-16 league crown.

Hibernians were too tense at the start and Starlites, with Michela Zammit Cordina, Anthea Micallef and Mikela Riolo leading the way, profited to storm to a 17-0 first-quarter lead.

Hibernians did find their touch as the second quarter got underway, which they won 20-12, but Starlites were comfortably in the driving seat at that stage.

Hopes of a Hibs’ comeback were dashed with another positive start by Starlites in the second half as they dominated the third quarter and a series of runs led them to a hefty 49-24 advantage.

The last quarter was a mere formality with the Starlites’ girlscelebrating their success.

Hibernians: M. Borg, Y. Bonett 5, Z. Camilleri, J. Abela 16, B. Agius 5, S. Said 6, C. Camilleri 4, G. Camilleri, E. Farrugia, M. Buhagiar 7, A. Scerri, A. Galea.

Starlites: E. Degiorgio 2, M. Riolo 10, N. Schembri, K. Mifsud, M. Zammit Cordina 23, A. Dingli, T. Bugeja, G. Ben Sol 2, A. Micallef 18, E. Azzopardi, S. Buhagiar, J. Cipriott 6.

Referees: E. Mangani, S. Micallef, Z. Dobrosavljevic.