NEPTUNES LEO VEGAS..............10

SLIEMA FRANK SALT.................11

(2-1), (4-2), (1-3), (3-5)

After they lost to San Ġiljan in the direct encounters, both teams wanted to win a direct encounter to keep up the pace. At the end, it was Sliema Frank Salt who were smiling after they beat their rivals 11-10 in a tense game that saw Sliema recover from a three-goal disadvantage after the second session.

The words by their coach Bogdan Rath at the half-time proved to be inspiring, as contrary to the game against San Ġiljan, Sliema were better in the third session and after they reduced the gap, they managed to take the lead in the important moments of the game.

This was a hard defeat for Neptunes as they had the game in their hands, but couldn’t find a solution for Sliema’s pressure game, as in some moments of the game, they were dangerous enough to trouble goalkeeper Ryan Coleiro. But most of all, this defeat meant that Neptunes have now lost to both title contenders, and despite that it is still early, it is not a positive indication for them to defend the title they won last year.

Photos Domenic Aquilina

Neptunes won the first session 2-1 with goals from Blary and Jordan Camilleri, while Zach Mizzi equalied momentarily for Sliema. Rath’s team managed to turn the game with a quick brace by Christian Cluett, but Neptunes scored four goals in three minutes by youngsters Miguel Zammit and Jeremy Abela, while their chief scorer Stevie Camilleri scored twice, to finish the session with a three-goal advantage.

Sliema were more intensive in their game and reduced the gap with two goals, until Jordan Camilleri made it 7-5. But a goal by Christian Cluett right at the end of the session kept Sliema’s hopes alive. It was time for Guillermo Molina to shine, as he scored a good goal in the beginning of the last session, and despite Niki Lanzon’s goal for Neptunes, Molina scored a gem of a goal with a brilliant backhand to equalise again.

Aquilina made it 9-8 for Sliema, but Jordan Camilleri scored again. Zach Mizzi scored a few seconds later, and Bugelli made sure of Sliema’s win with two minutes to spare. Jordan Camilleri scored his fourth goal of the game in the next action, but Neptunes couldn’t score another goal to at least save a point.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon (1), T. Agius, J. Culic, R. Blary (1), S. Gravina, S. Camilleri (2), J. Camilleri (4), J. Abela (1), M. Zammit (1), M. Martellacci, M. Azzopardi, I. Bugeja

Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta (1), E. Aquilina (1), C. Cluett (3), G. Molina (2), K. Dowling, M. Spiteri Staines, M. Mifsud, J. Gambin, M. Meli (1), Z. Mizzi (2), N. Bugelli (1), Z. Sciberras

Referees: Massimiliano Ruscica, Peter Balzan

 

Marsaxlokk stay with maximum points

MARSAXLOKK FISCHER..............9

MARSASKALA TRANSCRIPTA.....6

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

Marsaxlokk Fischer stretched their winning streak in the first division league to 14 games, claiming the second win of this campaign by defeating Marsaskala Transcripta 9-6. This second seasonal win over their main rivals was assured in the last session after an equal match in which both sides cancelled each other for most of the game.

In fact, both foreigners weren’t the protagonist of the game as they were marked tightly by each other, while in most of the times, Marsascala’s foreigner Andrija Vlahovic was even double-marked.

Both teams exchanged the advantage in the first two sessions, as Marsaxlokk’s opener was cancelled by Vlahovic in the first session. The same player put Pierre Borg’s team in advantage in the second session, but veteran Karl Galea equalised, so that both teams finished the second session in a low score draw.

The game had a slight twist after the break, as Marsaxlokk got the upper hand but Marsascala responded in three occasions after the goals by their opponents, until Karl Galea made it 6-5 with a well planned action.

Marsascala equalised in the beginning of the last session with a goal by Michele Agius, but Marsaxlokk’s depth in the squad proved to have an effect, as they were more careful in decisive moments. Brian Buhagiar opened up his tally in this league with a brace that put his team in the driving seat for the win, and they sealed the win with a goal by Sean Meli.

Marsaxlokk: A. Xuereb, C. Spiteri Debarro (1), L. Calleja, K. Galea (2), C. Gialanze, C. Bugeja, S. Meli (1), I. Vuksanovic (1), B. Buhagiar (2), R. Scerri (1), K. Lanzon, L. Gialanze, M. Cacici (1)

Marsascala: K. Schembri, J.C. Cutajar, N. Farrugia (1), D. Camilleri, A. Vlahovic (2), L. Grixti, K. Navarro (1), J. Busuttil, S. Micallef, M. Agius (1), D. Cassar, M. Cutajar (1), B. Dougall

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Tommaso Boccia