With all men’s competitions still on hold, attention last weekend again focused mainly on the Women’s League.
This competition is nearing the end of the first phase and with only two rounds left, Luxol, Depiro McDonalds and Hibs Medsea have already qualified for the Championship Pool.
Joint-leaders Luxol chalked up the first century in the championship this season when they thrashed bottom-placed Guzel Pinar Mtarfa 100-43.
Luxol showed their intentions right from the start as they led 23-8 at the end of the first quarter.
Mtarfa improved but their efforts were still not good enough to stop Luxol from opening a 50-30 lead at the interval.
Luxol kept up the scoring ratio in the next two quarters, going on to reach the 100-mark in the very closing minute of the match.
Depiro are also on the 23-point mark. They were never troubled by Starlites Sports Experience last weekend to keep up with Luxol.
A 22-point run saw Depiro opening a 24-2 lead which was extended to 37-10 at half-time.
Depiro continued to dictate matters for a sound 73-20 victory.
Reigning champions Hibs are one point behind leading duo Luxol and Depiro. They struggled to impose their superiority in their match against St Andrew’s who tied the score at 20-all at half-time.
Hibs shifted to attack mode after the interval. They regained the upperhand and dominated the third quarter, which they won 16-3.
That breakthrough paved the way for a 50-35 victory.
In a mid-table clash, Athleta beat Loyola 50-41. As expected, this was a balanced match all the way. In fact, at half-time, the score was 24-all.
Athleta had the better start after the interval as they led 32-26 but Loyola hit back to reduce the deficit to three points, 34-31, for the last ten minutes.
Loyola sorely missed the absence of their best player Christine Grima and, in the end, they were unable to deny Athleta from a hard-earned victory.
Standings: Depiro 23 (11-1), Luxol 23 (11-1), Hibs 22 (10-2), Athleta 18 (6-6), Loyola 17 (5-7), St Andrew’s 15 (3-9), Starlites 14 (2-10), Mtarfa 12 (0-12).
Top-scorers: K. Agius (Depiro) 219, L. Bezzina (Hibs) 191, L. Sciberras (Athleta) 190.
Friday: BOV KO SFs 18.15 Hibs vs Athleta, 19.45 Depiro vs Luxol.
Sunday: Detur Super Cup 14.30 Hibs vs Luxol.
Clubs’ meeting
Last weekend, a meeting for affiliated MBA members was held in a bid by clubs to find a solution to the current problem that has halted all men’s competitions half-way through the season.
The proposed amendments to the statute were discussed and at the end of the meeting SN Suns, Hibs and Naxxar Starlites joined Athleta, Siġġiewi, Depiro and Loyola in signing a petition asking the MBA to hold an extraordinary general meeting which is now scheduled for March 3.
It is understood that the Luxol and Mellieħa club delegates have asked for more time to discuss the proposals at committee level before taking a final stand on the matter.