Hibernians 61
Virtus Falken Cynergi 75

(17-18, 11-18, 12-25, 21-14)

The pre-season St James Hospital Shield got underway last weekend with newly-promoted Hibernians making their return to top flight competition after a long lapse with a match against champions Virtus.

Virtus, winners of the Independence Cup and Super Cup, paraded American Chris Santo for the first time. They could not have hoped for a better start as they led 14-2 in the early stages but Hibs closed the gap after a time-out. At half-time the score was 36-28 for Virtus.

Santo was very much in evidence after the break and Virtus sped to a 49-32 lead. Then, a 12-point break put the issue beyond doubt as Hibs trailed by 21 points at the start of the fourth quarter.

Virtus introduced most of their fringe players in the latter stages allowing Hibs to pot more points and make the score look more respectable.

Hibernians: R. Attard 5, M. Hampton, A. Baldacchino 3, L. Farrugia 4, S. Attard 9, I. Bonett, K. Caruana 6, R. Carabott 12, K. Sultana, S. Vella 3, P. Mariani 19.

Virtus: S. Pace 6, D. Bugeja 12, R. Bonnici, D. Camilleri 3, S. Bonnici, J. Farrugia, A. Felice Pace, C. Santo 33, A. Schembri 4, F. Bartoli 2, P. Shoults 7, T. Grech 8.

Referees: G. Barbara, E. Mangani, T. Helenius.

Gżira Athleta 66
Pavi Depiro 59

(14-17, 12-14, 23-15, 17-13)

Athleta had a shaky start but regrouped after the interval to seal a useful win.

Depiro led for most of the first two quarters but their lack of experience started to show after the interval as Athleta imposed their control on the game.

Depiro, with US player Michael Nwelue very active underneath the boards, enjoyed the better of possession at first and at half-time they led 31-26.

They succeeded in increasing their lead to 40-32 but then a Kurt Xuereb infringement allowed Athleta back in the fray.

Substitutions did not help as Depiro lost their plot and failed to force their way past Athleta’s organised zone defence.

At this stage, captain Michael Naudi and playmaker Roderick Vella lifted their game to put Athleta in the driving seat, opening a 49-46 lead before the last ten-minute session got underway.

Depiro were unable to find a way back as Athleta held on for the win.

Athleta: M. Naudi 15, R. Vella 12, F. Mifsud Bonnici, M. Montague 18, M. Giusti, I. Buldakov 6, L. Stefanovic, A. Micallef 6, S. Vicic, N. Lubrano 9, M. Gauci Montaldo.

Depiro: J. Attard, R. Xuereb, D. Schembri 6, A. Aquilina 3, M. Grech, T. Zammit 11, M. Mallia 4, J. Camilleri, K. Xuereb 16, M. Borg 2, M. Nwelue 17.

Referees: B. Vassallo, A. Carbonaro, T. Helenius.

Women’s tournament

As expected, Caffe Moak Luxol and Hibs had the better of newcomers Floriana and Starlites, respectively, in the opening matches of the women’s St James Hospital Shield.

Luxol were never troubled by Floriana who only managed 12 points before the break to their opponents’ 41. Clearly Floriana have to work harder on various aspects of their game as Luxol continued to dictate matters before sealing a handsome 83-21 win.

Hibs, strengthened by the return of Josephine Grima and Christine Grima, started to pull away from Starlites, changing ends 42-14 in front.

They continued where they had left off after the half-time break and it was only in the last quarter, when Hibs had a few substitutes on court, that Starlites shared the exchanges.

In the end, Hibs ran out worthy winners – 74-40.