NEPTUNES LEO VEGAS...........4

SAN ĠILJAN TUM INVEST.....14

(2-6), (1-4), (0-1), (1-3)

San Ġiljan Tum Invest gave a strong indication of their potential as they humiliated champions Neptunes Leo Vegas by beating them with a ten-goal margin. They managed to open up a nine point gap over the Champions, putting them with a very strong chance of winning the title although there are nearly two rounds of matches still to go.

It was a strong show by San Ġiljan who dominated from the first whistle till the end, and they were practically faultless in all departments with players such as Aleksandar Ivovic, Aurelien Cousin, and all the other Maltese players rising to the occasion knowing that this was an important match.

It was a huge disappointment for Neptunes who were caught off guard by the determination of their opponents and never entered into the game, as their main player Stevie Camilleri was tightly marked.

San Ġiljan won the first session 6-2 scoring goal after the other, as Neptunes had no response to the dominating play of their Balluta Bay rivals, to already set the pace as potential game winners. They even made sure of the win before the half time whistle, scoring another four goals to finish the second session 10-3.

The rhythm of the game dropped after the interval, both teams knowing their faith in the game. But San Ġiljan still were the better the team, controlled the game, stayed compact in defence, and scored the only goal of the session through Cousin.

After Blary scored for Neptunes in the last session, San Ġiljan made sure to finish the game on a high, scoring three goals and finish the game with a 14-4 score line, a result that surely will put smiles on their supporters’ faces.

(Photos Domenic Aquilina)

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon (1), T. Agius, K. Erdogan, R. Blary (1), S. Gravina, S. Camilleri (1), J. Camilleri (1), J. Abela, M. Zammit, M. Tabone, M. Azzopardi, I. Bugeja

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, P. Borg (1), A. Galea, T. Said, J. Galea, M. Zammit (1), B. Plumpton (2), Da. Zammit, A. Ivovic (3), A. Cousin (3), P. Fava (1), D. Zammit (3), T. Micallef

Referees: Massimiliano Sponza, Massimo Angileri

 

First point for Valletta

VALLETTA UNITED.....8

SIRENS ASC....................8

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

Valletta finally managed to win their first point with a positive performance to hold Sirens in an 8-8 draw. These were vital for Sirens as they could have climbed momentarily in second place.

It was a deserved result as both teams had their moments in the game. Sirens turned the tables in the second session, but Valletta had a good start, and continued to chase the game until they finally drew.

Valletta started the match on a high scoring twice from Michael Rizzo and Michael Cordina. Things seem to be going their way, but after Brownrigg took advantage from a blunder by Sciortino, John Napier scored from the right to equalise. Sirens were slightly better in the second session and deservedly finished the session in front thanks to a goal by their chief scorer Christian Prescuitti.

Sirens were starting to control the game as they increased their lead to three goals, but Rizzo and Spiteri Staines, kept Valletta in the game, despite Riolo scoring again for Sirens to keep a two-goal cushion.

But Valletta’s reaction in the beginning of the last session resulted in two quick goals by Mifsud and Vapenski. Presciutti put Sirens again in front. But James Spiteri Staines had other plans as he executed a well-planned action.

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines (2), A. Agius, M. Rizzo (2), M. Fenech, R. Mock, D. Paoella, N. Bonello Ghio, M. Cordina (2), B. Vapenski (1), K. Galea, D. Fenech, A. Mifsud (1)

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Zerafa Gregory, C. Presciutti (3), J. Sciberras, M. Grech (1), I. Riolo (1), C. Mercieca (1), D. Cutajar, J. Napier (1), J. Brownrigg (1), L. Caruana, M. Sciberras, O. Gauci

 

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri, Andrea Baretta

MARSAXLOKK FISCHER.....11

OTTERS NIVEA........................9

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

Despite having to work much harder than expected, Marsaxlokk Fischer managed to snatch their fifth consecutive win of their league campaign, defeating Otters Nivea 11-9.

Marsaxlokk didn’t have their best game but the main credit must go to Otters who were at par with their opponents for most of the game, and will surely be disappointed to finish the game empty-handed after all their efforts.

Otters won the first session 4-3 as they responded to Vuksanovic’s early goal, with veteran Charlie Zammit scoring a brace in the process. Those present thought that this would be a one off session, but this was not the case, as Otters managed to win also the second session to finish the session 6-4 in front.

But the two-goal advantage were diminished after the restart as Marsaxlokk scored two quick from Lanzon and Buhagiar to equalise. Otters stayed in the game and took the lead again in two occasions, but Marsaxlokk responded after each goal to finish the session in a balanced draw.

But in the decisive session, Marsaxlokk were better as they second periodical goals to take a three-goal advantage and secure the game, as Otters protested with the referees on several decisions that didn’t went in their way.

Marsaxlokk: A. Xuereb, C. Spiteri Debarro, L. Calleja (1), K. Galea, C. Gialanze (1), C. Bugeja, M. Cacici (1), I. Vuksanovic (4), B. Buhagiar (2), R. Scerri, K. Lanzon (2), L. Gialanze, R. Bonnici

Otters: J. Sammut, M. Borg Millo, A. Magri, L. Hyzler (1), E. Meli (2), D. Dimech, G. Mizzi, M. Jelaka (2), M. Paris, C. Zammit (4), M. Borg, C. Teuma, M. Xerri

Referees: Alex de Raffaele, Andrea Baretta