APS Bank Women’s National League
Kavallieri 14
La Salle 21
(H.T. 6-14)
After an exciting league championship decider, La Salle prevailed over Kavallieri to claim their second consecutive title. The match certainly lived up to its expectations as the score was tied at two goals apiece just after five minutes.
Kavallieri seemed to start building the pressure, however it was La Salle who took a slight advantage after scoring three consecutive goals. Kavallieri fought back and closed the deficit to one goal. However, seven minutes from time La Salle took everyone by surprise by scoring five consecutive goals and opening up a very comfortable eight goal lead before half-time.
In the second half, La Salle made sure to keep Kavallieri’s attacks at bay and keep in full control of the match. After 10 minutes, La Salle extended their lead to 11 goals where the major protagonists of the game where player of the match Yvonne Barry, Bernardette Vassallo and goalkeeper Raffaela Zammit Tabona who managed to save four penalties out of five during the game.
Kavallieri tried to make an epic comeback whoever La Salle were superior on the day and deservedly won the season’s major title.
Yvonne Barry scored seven goals for La Salle whilst Natasha Papric scored six for Kavallieri.
Player of the match: Raffaela Zammit Tabona (La Salle)
Final Standings: La Salle 18(Champions), Kavallieri 12, Aloysians 6.
APS Bank Men’s National League
Kavallieri Kia Motors 24
La Salle 22
(H.T. 9-12)
After losing all hopes for another title, La Salle conceded another defeat against Kavallieri who managed to turn thing round in the second half. La Salle had a major problem in goal as all three goalkeepers were not available.
Clive Ferrante bravely stepped up to the occasion and stood between the posts for La Salle and despite being his first game in goal, he had quite a good game. Kavallieri also had Chris Galea and Daniel Tabone missing.
The game was quite balanced and midway through the half, La Salle took a slight advantage. Kavallieri were fighting back and tried to exploit their fast players on the break, however Clive Ferrante denied Kavallieri several times.
In the second half, La Salle had last week’s same nightmare. After being four goals ahead, Kavallieri made an impressive 7-0 run to gain a three-goal lead. La Salle were shocked and tried to fight back. Dimitar Milev scored some lucky goals after his shots were deflected into goal by a defender.
However, Kavallieri managed to get back in the lead as La Salle tried to salvage a point. 30 seconds from time, Dimitar Milev scored a goal to give the slightest of hopes to his team mates. Nevertheless, his goal wasn’t enough as Kavallieri scored the winner through Bernd Siegler. Max Mifsud was Kavallieri’s top scorer with seven goals while Dimitar Milev scored five for La Salle.
Player of the match: Clive Ferrante (La Salle)
Aloysians 22
Depiro 21
(H.T. 12-10)
This was an entertaining match, where some good technical handball was seen. It was a deserved win for the champions, in a game where team play overcame individual ability. In the starting minutes both defences had the upper hand in the game and the score was low. In attack both teams opted to try some things and players in new positions in preparation for next week’s knock out. There was never more than a two-goal advantage in all the game with the first half ending 12-10 for Aloysians.
In the second half Depiro played an outstanding defence controlling more Aloysians’ shooters Igor Stefanovic and Roberto Ragonesi and going out on fast counter attacks succeeded to take advantage of two goals. The last ten minutes were really exciting with Aloysians getting level with Depiro. The game continued as a balanced encounter, till in the 29th minute with Depiro being a man under and a fine shot from Igor Stefanovic in the lower left corner giving the last win of the season to the newly crowned champions.
Player of the match: Igor Stefanovic (Aloysians)
Final Standings: Aloysians 24 (Champions), La Salle 18, Depiro 6, Kavallieri 6.