Champions Hibernians celebrated the twelfth BOV Premier League title in style as they defeated neighbours Tarxien Rainbows 6-1 at the National Stadium on Saturday.

The game was already dead and buried on the 11th minute as Hibernians went three goals ahead courtesy of a Jurgen Degabriele hat-trick with Jorginho adding a fourth goal nine minutes later.

The Paolites therefore ended their commitments on the 71-point mark, seven ahead of runners-up Balzan and one ahead of third-placed Birkirkara.

Hibernians had a perfect start, taking the lead on the 3rd minute with Jurgen Degabriele heading the ball home off a cross by Jackson Lima from the left.

Three minutes later, the Paolites doubled the score when off a cross from the left by Clayton Failla, Jurgen Degabriele controlled the ball and with a shot from the edge of the area, he beat Cassar.

On the 10th minute, Hibs were awarded a penalty after Bradley Barbara handled the ball inside the area. Jurgen Degabriele’s effort from the penalty spot was partially saved by Cassar but off the rebound, the young Hibs striker placed the ball at the back of the net.

Hibernians scored the fourth goal on the 20th minute when off a Clayton Failla cross from the left, Jorge Pereira da Silva anticipated the goalkeeper with a header.

Eight minutes from time, the Paolites made it 5-0 thanks to Jackson Lima who controlled the ball following a cross by Jackson Lima from the left and slotted the ball past Cassar.

Five minutes from time, Tarxien pulled one back thanks to an Alex Nilsson penalty after he was brought down inside the area by Marcelo Dias.

However three minutes later, substitute Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro made it 6-1 when he concluded a solo effort with a great rising shot which gave Andrea Cassar no chance.

BOV Chairman Deo Scerri and MFA President Norman Darmanin Demajo presented the BOV Premier League Trophy to Hibs captain Clayton Failla.[gallery_bank type=”images” format=”masonry” title=”true” desc=”false” responsive=”true” display=”all” sort_by=”pic_id” animation_effect=”bounce” album_title=”true” album_id=”53″]

TARXIEN Andrea Cassar, Matthew Brincat, Triston Caruana, Ayrton Azzopardi, Dylan Micallef, Bradley Barbara (46′ Alex Nilsson), Sergio Fernandez Prendes, Daniel Zerafa (87′ Kurt Borg), Alex da Paixao Alves (90′ Lyon Caruana), Kurt Zammit, Sacha Borg.
Subs not used: Philip Schranz, Ebiabowei Baker, Emerson Marcelina, Daniel Ponce de Leon Garcia.

HIBS Andrew Hogg (50′ Rudy Briffa), Rodolfo Soares, Dunstan Vella, Marcelo Dias, Jackson de Lima Siqueira, Clayton Failla, Bjorn Kristensen, Jorge da Silva Pereira (74′ Montell Moore), Jurgen Degabriele, Johann Bezzina (74′ Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro), Andrei Agius.
Subs not used: Kieran Xuereb, Dejan Boljevic, Connor Zammit, Daniel Buckle.
Coach: Mark Miller

Referee: Sandro Spiteri
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Edward Spiteri
Additional Assistant Referees: Philip Farrugia, Etienne Mangion
Fourth Official: Christopher Azzopardi
Yellow Cards: Barbara, Agius
BOV Player of the Match: Jurgen Degabriele
Attendance: 2,688