NEPTUNES LEO VEGAS             11
SLIEMA FRANK SALT                12
(2-2), (3-3), (0-4), (6-3)

A brilliant third session proved to be decisive for Sliema Frank Salt as they edged past their historical rivals Neptunes Leo Vegas, winning 12-11 in a contested affair. This win is a continuation of the fine performance earlier in the week where they defeated Sirens and proves that Sliema are ready to challenge for the honours.

The four consecutive goals from Sliema with no reply proved to be important, as despite the valiant effort by Neptunes in the last session, they couldn't turn a defeat into victory. Neptunes were again without Stevie Camilleri who is still in action with Roma Nuoto.

The first part of the game was evenly balanced as the two sessions ended in a draw. Neptunes had to recover twice from a goal down to respond to the goals by Jamie Gambin and Michael Cordina, both of them scored from man-up situations.

Niki Lanzon put Neptunes in front in the beginning of the second session, but Sliema responded with three consecutive goals in the middle of the session. A goal from man-up situation by Jeremy Abela put Neptunes back on track and Petar Muslim equalised from a quick man-up situation.

After the break, the game took a twist as Sliema dominated the third session. Christian Presciutti scored from a penalty, Mark Meli doubled the lead with three minutes left and Christian Presciutti converted a man-up situation. Jerome Gabarretta scored an important and beautiful goal right at the end of the session to make it 9-5.

Neptunes were looking for a quick reaction and they reduced the gap by half with a brace by Petar Muslim in the first minutes of the last session. Sliema tried to kill the game twice, but in both occasions Neptunes reacted. Sliema were 11-9 in front with three minutes left from the end of the game.

Jeremy Abela opened the game after scoring from man-up, but Zach Mizzi settled the affair with a left-hand shot about half a minute from the end. Jordan Camilleri's goal didn't have an effect.

Sliema had Mark Meli and Jamie Gambin fouled-out in the last session, while Gabriel Pace was fouled-out for Neptunes, who had five players on two fouls.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon (1), K. Erdogan, G. Pace, S. Busuttil, N. Zammit, P. Muslim (4), J. Camilleri (2), J. Abela (3), M. Zammit, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi (1), J. Parnis

Sliema: J. Sammut, J. Gabarretta (1), C. Presciutti (3), T. Gambin, M. Meli (2), K. Dowling, M. Spiteri Staines (2), D. Fenech, M. Cordina (1), J. Gambin (1), Z. Mizzi (1), N. Bugelli (1), Z. Sciberras

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Riccardo D'Antoni

 

Second win for San Ġiljan

VALLETTA VIDEOSLOTS              5
SAN ĠILJAN TUM INVEST           16
(2-3), (1-2), (1-4), (1-7)

San Ġiljan TUM Invest continued to march on to defend their title won last year, after they brushed aside Valletta 16-5. Despite the commanding win, San Ġiljan scored seven goals in the last session, a reminder that they still have issues to work on. It was San Giljan's 43rd win on the trot.

San Ġiljan won the first session but had to recover from a slow start as Valletta went two goals in front from Ryan Mock and Marton Toth. Matthew Zammit pulled one back as he fired past Ryan Sciortino and Ben Plumpton turned the tables with a brace.

Marko Orlovic's team opened up a three-goal lead in the second session and could have easily widened the margin. After Valletta reduced the deficit from James Spiteri Staines, they failed to take advantage from two man-ups that could have had a twist in the progression of the match.

The Saints raised their level in the third session and got hold of the game. Apart from increasing their advantage they dictated play and constrained their opponents to stay more defending rather than attacking.

The last session was totally dominated by San Ġiljan as they exposed Valletta's weaknessess to finish the match with an eleven-goal margin.

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines (1), A. Agius, M. Mifsud, N. Bonello Ghio, R. Mock (2), D. Paolella, M. Toth (2), A. Mifsud, C. Zammit, K. Galea, L. Gialanze, M. Lanzon

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, P. Borg (2), A. Galea (1), B. Grech, C. Farrugia (1), M. Zammit (2), B. Plumpton (5), Da. Zammit, T. Said, P. Obradovic (2), P. Fava (1), Di. Zammit (2), T. Micallef

Referees: Peter Balzan, Stefano Scappini

 

FIRST DIVISION

BIRŻEBBUĠA FREEPORT             10
MARSAXLOKK BROWN'S               9
(4-1), (2-3), (1-3), (3-2)

Birżebbuġa: D. Abela, M. Borg, N. Cassar (1), D. Pace Lupi (1), D. Brguljan (4), J. Buhagiar, S. Vassallo (1), D. Cutajar (1), S. Micallef (1), M. Cutajar (1), K. Rizzo Naudi, J. Zerafa Gregory, D. Spiteri

Marsaxlokk: R. Coleiro, C. Spiteri Debarro (3), L. Calleja, C. Bonello (1), C. Gialanze (2), R. Scerri, O. Zammit, M. Rizzo, B. Buhagiar (1), S. Luongo (2), M. Cacici, J. Galea, K. Lanzon

Referees: Stefan Licari, Riccardo D'Antoni