Hibs inch closer to fifth successive title

Champions Hibernians are firmly on course to clinch a fifth consecutive title after they trounced Raiders 5-0 at the Pace Grasso Stadium on Sunday.

The Paolites have now increased their lead over second-placed Birkirkara to eight points and with five matches to go, the odds are all in favour of Hibs to retain the league crown.

Against Raiders, Hibernians found little difficulty in breaking down the opponents' rearguard and, at the interval, they were already two goals up courtesy of Dorianne Theuma and Joanne Vella.

Hibernians maintained their attacking surge after the break and added three more goals to ensure the points.

Theuma added two more goals to complete her third hat-trick of the season and strengthen her top spot in the scorers' list with 16 goals. The other goal was scored by Tessie Agius who sealed an emphatic win.

In the other match, Melita joined Mosta in third place on 16 points after they easily defeated Rabat 4-0.

Maria Coppola notched a brace for the Amateurs with the other goals coming from Daniela Micallef and Maria Azzopardi.

Leading scorers: D. Theuma (Hibs) - 16 goals; S. Caruana, J. Vella (both Hibs), E. Agliano (Birkirkara) - 8.

Next programme: Sunday - 9 a.m. Birkirkara vs Rabat; 10.30 a.m. Raiders vs Melita.