Sliema Burger King 10

San Giljan 6

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

Sliema: J. Cachia, D. Paolella 1, E. Aquilina 4, M. Manara, M. Meli 1, J. Soler, J. Paris 1, K. Engerer, C. Debono, F. Cutajar, R. Coleiro, G. Lubrano, A. Bianchi 3.

San Giljan: K. Schembri, K. Lanzon 1, K. D'Ugo, C. Bonello 1, G. Ghirxi 1, M. Zammit 2, I. Azzopardi, J. Camilleri, G. Farrugia, M. Pace, S. Borg, J. Spiteri, K. Grima Scott 1.

Refs: Mario Dalli, Miro Caruana.

The 2005 league campaign got under way and the opening game resulted, as expected, in a win for reigning champions, for the last four years, Sliema, over 'cousins' San Giljan.

This victory materialised mostly in the first two sessions as the Saints managed to end the final two sessions at 2-2 respectively.

The first goal of the season came on a man-up situation in favour of the Blues and the goal scorer was Edward Aquilina. Promising youngster Mark Meli made it 2-0 also on a man-up.

By the first session's end, both teams notched a goal apiece with Matthew Zammit grabbing the Saints' first whilst Andrea Bianchi scored at the opposite end with equal players in the water.

The Saints reduced the arrears and made it momentarily a one goal game early in the second session with a centre lob-goal by Keith Grima Scott. However, the reigning champions replied within seconds with a close range shot by Aquilina.

Sliema, having Serbian coach Mekcic making a debut on the bench, continued to impose their superiority (even though making little use of star players Paris and Soler) and changed ends 6-2 ahead following Bianchi's brace and a John Paris conclusion.

San Giljan, led by player coach Ian Azzopardi, had an encouraging start in the third session with two goals on man-ups. The first came through Zammit and a minute later newcomer Kayne Lanzon scored with a nice bounce-shot from the left side.

This session however ended 2-2 as Sliema increased their tally to eight goals after strieks by Daniel Paolella and Aquilina's hat-trick.

The Saints' performance continued to be encouraging also in the starting phases of the last session as once again they came within two goals after goals from Clyde Bonello and Glen Ghirxi but Aquilina's poker from the centre killed all their hopes of a surprise and then Bianchi closed the match with his hat-trick in the last 30 seconds when face to face with young goalkeeper Joel Spiteri.

Both sides grabbed three man-up goals: however, Sliema won eight expulsions while San Giljan had a 100% performance in this regard.

Sirens 15

Valletta U. Fortina R. 4

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

Sirens: J. Caruana Dingli, A. Grech, J. Rizzo Naudi 1, K. Rizzo Naudi 3, C. Cauchi 3, J. Valletta 4, J. Borg 1, D. Cutajar 1, K. Montfort 1, R. Attard, T. Debono, C. Mercieca, N. Cassar 1.

Valletta: E. Arrigo, R. D'Amato, M. Camilleri, Marco Camilleri, C. Zarb Adami, D. Saliba, A. Galea, J. Farrugia, D. Shaw, C. Saliba 1, P. Bonnici, M. Zammit 3, E. Pisani.

Refs: Mario Dalli, Massimo Angileri.

Last year's knock out winners Sirens also got off to a winning start after handsomely beating Valletta, as expected, with an 11-goal margin.

Valletta, once again under coach Anthony Farrugia, paraded their new signings Edwin Pisani, David Saliba and most notably ex-Mario Zammit (last year he played with Sirens). On their part, Sirens, led by John Farrugia, had Walter Degiorgio missing after this player decided to stop playing.

Valletta tried their utmost to minimise the danger and had veteran Zammit grabbing a hat-trick (two on man-ups) even though he missed a penalty late in the match. Christian Saliba scored Valletta's other goal.

The game had a momentary stoppage in the third session when the referees deemed there was little lighting in the water. One has to point out that the ASA has this year opted to have floodlit matches. The ASA president's idea of having lights on just one side is, in my opinion, right but the lighting intensity and angle has to be improved.

On the winner's part Jonathan Valletta, Chris Cauchi and Karl Rizzo Naudi shared ten goals between them. Valletta, who grabbed a poker, scored his last goal from his own half after a blatant turnover by Valletta following the customary throw-in after a time-out.

Sirens finished with four goals from seven man-ups whilst Valletta had two on three.