Neptunes Grimaldi     10     Sirens Ritter Sport     9

(1-2, 4-2, 2-1, 3-4)

 

It was tight at the end, as Neptunes saw their three goal advantage whittled down to just a single goal, but the champions held possession for nearly the whole last minute of play, after Sirens had scored their last goal, and the St. Pauls Bay side were denied a last shot at goal. It was heartbreak again for Sirens, again losing by the odd goal, in the space of a week. They were under the guidance of John Farrugia, with the suspension of their coach. Bogdan Rath. Once more Steve Camilleri was left on the Neptunes bench, taking no part in match, no doubt getting ready for the clash against the eternal rivals, Sliema, on Friday.

Sirens were twice ahead in the opening session, as they forced the pace, and after Neptunes had again drew level, early on in the next period, Sirens again took another advantage. Neptunes seemed to settle down, as they struck three times in a row, with Peter Biros converting his second penalty of the game. Sirens were back, before the end of the session, and at the interval the champions were just ahead, at 5-4.

After the break Sirens’ Edward Aquilina was shown the red card, and Jordan Camilleri, taking the mantle from his brother, scored twice, although Mark Grech netted in between, as Neptunes went into the last quarter on a double lead, at 7-5. Twice more Sirens reduced their deficit, until Neptunes scored twice in succession, and seemed to have sealed up the match, but Sirens had other ideas, and they responded late in the match, to go within a mere goal of their opponents. Still, the champions just kept possession, and Sirens did not get another opportunity to save the match. Peter Biros scored a nap hand, and Jordan Camilleri netted a hat trick, to compensate for neptunes’ poor handling of their man ups, with two strikes on six occasions. Sirens had Christian presciutti with three goals, and converted half of their eight man ups.

The champions will be crossing swords, once more, in the final, against Sliema, the holders of this K.O.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon , G. Mizzi , M. Stellini 1, T. Agius ,

                M. Zammit , S. Camilleri , J. Camilleri 3, A. Zarb Cousin , P. Biros 5,

                B. Dougall , T. Molnar 1, C. Mercieca

Sirens: N. Grixti, Z. Mizzi 2, C. Presciutti 3, G. Pace , M. Grech 2, C. Kiss 2,

            M. Caruana , D. Cutajar , J. Napier , E. Aquilina , L. Caruana ,

            A. Sammut , M. Pisani

Referees: M. Angileri, G. Del Bosco

 

BOV  K.O.  1 Div. – Semi Final

Touch and go, as Otters make it to the final

Otters Nivea     12     Ta Xbiex Amigos     11

After extra time

(4-3, 4-3, 2-3, 0-2) – (2-1, 0-0)

 

The Gozitans made their way into the final, where M’scala are awaiting, but they had to go into extra time, before finally managing to down the gallant Ta Xbiex outfit, who came back strongly, twice in the match. Otters had a good start to the match, and were dictating play, but after the interval it was Ta Xbiex who forced the game, and managed to force extra time, only to be eliminated by the odd goal.

The Gozitans started with a flourish, netting three times, before their adversaries could begin to strike back. Ta Xbiex did that, and took their deficit down to a single goal. In the second period Otters dictated once more, and went into a maximum 8-4 advantage, before ta Xbiex got a goal back, to go into the interval 5-8 behind.

After the break Ta Xbiex returned to a goal behind, but then Ivan Vuksanovic scored a penalty for Otters, Sean Gravina was out, on three fouls, for ta Xbiex, as was Vuksanovic, at the other end. Otters began the last session 10-8 ahead, but Ta Xbiex continued to press, and they got their two goals, to tie the game. Otters missed their last chance, with the game going into overtime.

Otters were again ahead, only for Peter Markoch to score his second penalty, as Ta Xbiex drew level. In the last seconds of the first period Duncan Schembri forced home what proved to be the winner, as both sides failed to score in the second session, and Otters gratefully took their place in the final.

Vuksanovic scored a total of seven goals, before being fouled out, for Otters, and Milos maksimovic and Otis Zammit both scored hat tricks for the losing side.

Otters: J. Micallef, G. Attard 1, G. Zammit , K. Scicluna , R. Bonnici , A. Borg ,

         J. Paris 1, D. Schembri 2, A. Edward 1, S. Dimech , C. Martin , I. Vuksanovic 7,

           K. Grima Scott

Ta Xbiex: L. Borg, M. Maksimovic 3, M. Camilleri , S. Aquilina 1, K. Debattista ,

              K. Mock , S. Gravina 1, M. Agius 1, E. Gravina , L. Pace , R. Attard ,

                O. Zammit 3, P. Markoch 2

Referees:R. Spiteri, G. Lo Dico