SAN ĠILJAN JP PROJECTS .... 12 NEPTUNES VIDEOSLOTS ..... 12 (3‑4), (2‑2), (3‑1), (4‑5)

A spectacle between two worthy contenders resulted in a 12‐12 draw. In the end, it is a fair result as Neptunes were better in the first two sessions while San Ġiljan showed their best in the third and fourth sessions.

An encounter that confirmed the little difference between them but also meant that tensions need to be controlled for later games during this season, especially if both teams reach the play‐off final. Both referees had a very difficult task to control the match. San Ġiljan were probably the most team that felt decisions were being taken against them.

In the end, San Ġiljan had 12 man‐ups in which they converted five of them and scored a penalty while Neptunes converted four out of eight man‐ups and missed two out of the three penalties given to them.

The match got off to a flying start as both captains scored from man‐ups. Stevie Camilleri put Neptunes in the lead while Matthew Zammit responded. Filip Filipovic and Aleksandar Ivovic gave Neptunes a 3‐1 advantage but San Ġiljan cancelled the difference with two goals in the last minute and a half of the session. That was only until Jake Muscat kept Neptunes a goal ahead.

San Ġiljan equalised twice in the second session but first Filipovic and Stevie Camilleri at the end of the session, kept Neptunes with their noses in front. Man‐up situa‐ tion were on a high after two ses‐ sions. No less than seven players were with two fouls amongst them Aaron Younger and Aleksandar Ivovic. San Ġiljan coach Zeljko Kovacic was even sent‐off at the end of the session after being shown the second yellow card.

The third session calmed down the tempers of both teams and their sets of supporters. San Ġiljan had a brilliant session in which they nullified their opponents and took the lead for the first time. Jake Bonavia equalised, Nicholas Bugelli put them in the lead and Aaron Younger doubled their advantage. Jake Bajada reduced the gap after receving a ball in the centre from Stevie Camilleri.

All was to play for in the last ses‐ sion. Younger converted a man‐up to give San Ġiljan a much needed 9‐ 7 lead. Neptunes needed only two minutes to equalise after Younger missed a penalty just before Filipovic’s equaliser.

With only two minutes left, San Ġiljan had a comendable 12‐10 lead after a brace by Jokovic and a goal from man‐up by Andreas Galea. Filipovic responded immediately to keep Neptunes with a chance of avoiding defeat. In their last attempt, Neptunes had a man‐up that was converted by Jake Muscat with six seconds left on the clock to give his team a deserved draw.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, N. Bugelli (3), A. Galea (1), B. Plumpton, M. Jokovic (4), M. Zammit (1), J. Bonavia (1), A. Younger (2), J. Abela, N. Zammit, N. Bonavia, R. Caruana, G. Borg, G. Bonavia, K. Calleja

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, J. Mus‐ cat (2), S. Gialanze (1), G. Pace, M. Castillo, J. Bajada (1), S. Camilleri (2), J. Camilleri, A. Ivovic (2), F. Fil‐ ipovic (4), A. Fenech, E. Mallia, M. Rossi, D. Bugeja

Referees: Peter Balzan, Luca Bianco

BIRŻEBBUĠA FREEPORT... 26 BARRACUDAS ........................ 13 (7‑2), (8‑4), (4‑3), (7‑4)

Birżebbuġa Freeport continued their winning streak in the First Di‐ vision. They kept their expectation as they defeated with ease Barra‐ cudas. This win keeps them on top of the table, three points above Marsaxlokk. Despite their difficul‐ ties, Barracudas keep fighting al‐ though it is difficult to keep the level with their opponents.

Balasz Erdelyi starred in the first session for Birżebbuġa, scoring three of the seven goals scored by his team. Starting the second ses‐ sion 7‐2 ahead, Birżebbuġa never let their opponents into the game and secured the three points as they stretched their lead to eight goals and ending it 15‐6 in front.

The third and fourth sessions were just a formality and it only served for both coaches to rotate their players. Birżebbuġa contin‐

ued to dictate play and despite the ongoing rotation, they still won the third session with a goal from Erdelyi. During the last session, Birżebbuġa had the opportunity to widen the gap.

Birżebbuġa: M. Sladden, P. Borg (4), N. Cassar, B. Grech (3), D. Br‐ guljan (4), M. Manara, D. Cutajar, B. Erdelyi (7), K. Tanti (1), G. Man‐ nino, M. Curmi (3), C.D. Borg, J. Sciberras (3), D. Farrugia (1)

Barracudas: I. Schembri, A. Pic‐ cione (1), A. Magri (2), P. Micallef, D. Ciantar, R. Sciortino (1), I. Gusarov (3), R. Latinovic (5), C. Bugeja, S. Apap, A. Mifsud (1), T.J.

Mifsud, L. Abela, S. Debono Grech, W. Ruggier

Referees: Neville Mercieca, Luca Bianco

TA’ XBIEX AMIGOS ............... 13 EXILES WELBEE’S ................. 15 (1‑4), (5‑4), (1‑4), (6‑3)

An important win for Exiles Wel‐ bee’s to build momentum. They had control for the majority of the game but could have lost what they worked for in the last minutes of the game due to several players that were fouled‐out including Valentino Gallo.

Kristijan Milakovic gave Ta’ Xbiex the lead in the first session until Ex‐ iles reacted and scored four con‐ secutive goals through Max Aquilina, Guillermo Molina and a brace by Niall Saliba.

Ta’ Xbiex made a statement in the second session and turned the game in their favour. A hat‐trick by Milakovic and another goal by Vasic gave Ta’ Xbiex a 5‐4 lead. But the lead was short‐lived as Exiles reacted with four goals of their own to take an 8‐5 lead. Vasic reduced the margin.

A decisive moment in the third session happened in the third ses‐ sion. A comeback was expected by Ta’ Xbiex but instead it was Valentino Gallo. The Italian shined with three consecutive goals to stretch the lead of Exiles to 11‐6.

They kept a consistent lead until they started losing players due to being fouled‐out. Gallo was amongst those players and Exiles

were constrained to play the re‐ mainder of the game with one for‐ eigner. Although it was late in the game to stage an improbable come‐ back, Ta’ Xbiex did what they could to reduce the gap and came up only two goals short.

Ta’ Xbiex: M. Vassallo, L. Monte‐ bello Brownrigg, L. Grech Carr, K. Grech, R. Mock (1), J. Saliba (2), K. Milakovic (7), U. Vasic (3), J. Culic, Z. Bartolo, J. Farrugia, G. Galea Curmi, M. Ortoleva, K. Agius

Exiles: M. Castillo, Z. Cutajar Licari (1), Z. Micallef, V. Gallo (5), G. Molina (3), S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech (1), K. Griscti, N. Paris, M. Martellacci (1), M. Aquilina (2), N. Saliba (2), F. Buhagiar, M. Paris Roding, L. Pursehouse

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri, Andrea Zedda

 

Photo: Domenic Aquilina