Neptunes Grimaldi     9     Sliema Frank Salt     5

(2-1, 2-0, 2-2, 3-2)

 

It had to happen, no doubt about that. They are the best team of the lot, and with the new league format Neptunes have been crowned champions two games ahead of schedule. It was really another routine victory for them, a welcome one against their biggest rivals, their third in five matches against the Blues, with the other two ending in draws. As it was the champions were always in command, with their minds at rest, having Alan Borg Cole in goal. Sliema threatened at times, but they never got really near enough, and Neptunes could hold control throughout the entire match.

Sliema opened the scoring, through Antonio petkovic, but Neptunes overturned the score, with strikes by Niki Lanzon and Peter Biros. In teh second period Neptunes could exercise their command, with a further tow goals without any reply from the Blues. Steve Camilleri and Biros gave the champions a solid 4-1 halftime advantage.

After the break Jordan camilleri enhanced Neptunes'' lead, but Sliema managed to come back into the reckoning, with goals by John Soler and Ivan Basara, but they failed in two quick man ups, and Neptunes went into a better advantage, with another strike by Lanzon, for a 6-3 lead, going into the last quarter. Basara reduced Sliema's deficit, but Steve Camilleri restored the champions' three goal lead.

Petkovic shot home another goal for the Blues, with Sliema then losing Jerome Gabarretta on a red card.

Steve Camilleri sealed Neptunes' victory, with his thrid goal, and Tamas Molnar was also shown a futile red card, before Sliema could restart the match. The Blues failed their last attack, and Steve Camilleri swam forward alone, to hit home his side's last goal, with less than a second to go, and register his fourth strike.

Neptunes can now play their last two matches with tranquillity, as they celebrate their fifth league title in a row.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 2, G. Mizzi , M. Stellini , T. Agius , M. Zammit , S. Camilleri 4, J. Camilleri 1, A. Zarb Cousin, P. Biros 2, B. Dougall , T. Molnar , C. Mercieca

Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta , N. Lubrano , T. Sullivan , M. Meli , J. Soler 1, J. Borg , C. Cluett , J. Brownrigg , N. Bugelli , I. Basara2 , A. Petkovic 2, K. Schembri

Referees: M. Ruscica, R. Colombo

Championship Pool Standings

Neptunes Grimaldi     12   10     2     0   170   113   32

Sliema Frank Salt      12     6     3     3   127   121   21   

San Giljan Allcare      11     5     0     6   140   125   18