Sliema Betsson 10 San Giljan Salini Resort 10 (0-2), (2-1), (5-3), (3-4)

In a match that had no particular aim, Sliema Betsson and San Ġiljan Salini Resort finished in a 10-10 draw. The game had a low attendance and a slow rhythm as both teams didn’t have much to play for.

This game was the last one for Sliema captain John Soler who decided to retire from the game after 20 years playing first team waterpolo. Soler won every honour in Maltese Waterpolo several times and clinched the Player of the Year three times.

Sliema had for another game Mark Meli, Timmy Sullivan and John Brownrigg missing as youngsters such as Jamie Gambin and other players like Mark Fenech, Kai Dowling were given more time to express their qualities. San Ġiljan had Aurelien Cousin missing.

The game started in a low key manner as San Ġiljan scored two goals late in the first session. Sliema made a good reaction and equalised but Matthew Zammit made sure to keep his team in front before the break.

The game increased its rhythm in the third session despite the circumstances, as both teams were shooting more in goal and taking their chances. Milakovic’s team managed to turn the tables and took the lead. But few seconds before the end of the session, their foreigner Marko Cuk was sent off, a decision that left Sliema without a foreigner in the last session.

A brace by Alex Attard gave a good three goal lead and looked that it might secure the first win for Sliema against a top team. But San Ġiljan had other plans as they scored a poker of goals to take a 10-9 lead, until a good shot from a central position by Nicholas Bugelli made sure that Sliema didn’t lose their last game.

Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta, E. Aquilina (1), C. Cluett (1), K. Dowling (2), J. Soler, M. Fenech (1), J. Gambin, L. Galea, A. Attard (2), M. Cuk (1), N. Bugelli (2), M. Muscat

San Giljan: J. Sammut, P. Borg, A. Galea (1), B. Vapenski (1), J. Galea, Ma. Zammit (2), K. Galea (1), C. Mercieca (1), B. Plumpton, Da. Zammit, P. Fava (3), Di. Zammit (1), D. Camilleri

Referees Massimo Angileri, Giuseppe Fusco

Exiles Jetfreight Marsaxlokk Fischer (1-1), (3-1), (5-1), (4-2) 13-5

Exiles secured their first win in the best out of three relegation decider as they brushed aside the first division champions Marsaxlokk Fischer in a 13-5 win. This game wasn’t a priority for Marsaxlokk as they had already reached their aim, that of winning the first division league and knock-out.

Coach Ian Azzopardi had to do without the team’s main scorer Ivan Vuksanovic, Bryan Buhagiar, goalkeeper David Abela and veteran Karl Galea.

The first session might have given an indication that Marsaxlokk could keep up the pace with their opponents and somehow they managed to do it till the end of the second session with only a two goal difference. But after the break, Exiles stepped up and showed their value and practically secured the win as they stretched their lead to six goals. Dorian Pisani’s team continued to score also in the last session as Marsaxlokk lost their attention particularly because of lack of players.

I. Bugeja, J. Rizzo Naudi (1), S. Vassallo, D. Pace Lupi, D. Borg Millo (1), E. Gravina, S. Gravina (1), K. Griscti (1), N. Paris, A. Bianchi, L. Felice, M. Vukicevic (6), K. Lanzon (3)

A. Xuereb, C. Spiteri Debarro (2), L. Calleja, C. Gialanze, S. Meli (1), G. Busuttil, R. Scerri (2), K. Navarro, K. Debattista Anna Goncharenko, Andrea Zedda