M’scala Mor€ 11

Otters Nivea    9

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

 

The final continued yesterday after the power failure last week prevented the match from continuing. The opening session had given M'scala a 3-2 advantage with the match continuing yesterday.

Otters were very active in the first part of the game even going in front. They were still on a par late in the third session but a missed penalty throw seemed to have a negative effect on them and they began to concede goals without any reply which had M'scala taking a winning margin. Late Gozitan strikes only made the scoreline a more compact one. M'scala regained this honour having lost it to Valletta last season.

When the match went into the second period Otters again made the brighter start and a brace of goals took them in front but Sergi Mora had M'scala on level terms and the interval arrived with both teams locked at 4-4.

After the break Gergo Marnitz took M'scala ahead only for Andrei Edward to drag the Gozitans to an even score once more. M'scala then took a double advantage with Joe Cremona and Marnitz strikes. Otters had Keith Grima Scott to reduce the deficit and they then were awarded a penalty throw. Ivan Vuksanovic saw his penalty hit the woodwork and this lost golden occasion proved costly as Otters seemed to lose their momentum.

Matthew Pace increased M'scala's advantage and M'scala went into the last quarter on an 8-6 lead. Otters were a confused side at that time and the two M'scala foreigners shot in three goals between themselves to close down the match.

The Gozitans recovered in the late stages of the match as they pulled back three goals but the time had wound down and M'scala could easily see out the remaining seconds to win their first honour this season being also in a very good position to claim the league honours with a heavy six point advantage at the top of the standings.

After the match the BOV Chief Officer Peter Perotti, with the help of the ASA vice president Karl Galea, distributed the winning medals to the victorious M'scala side and captain Joe Cremona also received the BOV Trophy along with his medal.

M’scala: D. Spiteri, JC Cutajar, S. Mora 2, C. Bonello, E. Meli, L. Grixti 1, M. Pace1, J. Cremona 1, S. Micallef, C. Mifsud, D. Cassar, G. Marnitz 6, J. Cremona

Otters: J. Micallef, G. Attard, G. Zammit, A. Azzopardi, R. Bonnici, A. Borg, J. Paris, D. Schembri, A. Edward2, S. Dimech, C. Martin1, I. Vuksanovic 4, K. Grima Scott 2

Referees: A. DeRaffaele, A. Severo