Sliema McDonalds 13

Neptunes Emirates 5

(1-1),(3-1),(3-2),(6-1)

Sliema McDonalds stunned and shocked their rivals Neptunes Emirates in the first leg of the BOV Waterpolo Winter League final when they demolished the Balluta boys by 13 goals to five in a one sided encounter which saw Mark Meli score four times.

The first session ended 1-1 with Sliema taking the lead through Lubrano and Neptunes equalizing through Lanzon. However Sliema managed to take control of the second session winning 3-1 with Privitera, Spiteri Staines and Soler scoring for the Blues and Neptunes replying through Aquilina.

This gave Sliema a two goal advantage at the interval.

Sliema continued to control the encounter and shaded the third session 3-2 with Privitera, Paolella and Meli scoring for them and Neptunes replying through Timmy Agius and Clint Mercieca.

The final session saw Sliema rout their eternal rivals 6-1 with Meli, Debono and Paolella having a field day and the former scoring 4 times for a final score of 13-5.

The second leg of this final will be played tomorrow.

Sliema McDonalds: R. Coleiro, C. Cluett, N. Lubrano (1), P. Privitera (2), M. Meli (4), J. Soler (1), D. Paolella (2), J. Brownrigg, C. Debono (2), M. Cordina, M. Rizzo, M. Spiteri Staines (1), Z. Scibberas

Neptunes Emirates: I. Bugeja, N. Lanzon (1), E. Aquilina, M. Stellini (1), Z. Mizzi, G. Pace, J. Camilleri, K. Debattista, B. Lanzon, S. Gravina (1), T. Agius (1), S. Xerri de Caro, C. Mercieca (1)

Referees: M Dalli S Licari