Champions and current league leaders Sliema Burger King opened a three-point lead at the top of the first division standings yesterday after they beat Sirens 9-4 and Neptunes were held to a 5-5 draw by Marsascala.

In the process, Sliema’s win also meant that they clinched the President’s Cup, while Neptunes won the Sportswriters Association trophy as their match went on to be decided in extra time.

Sliema Burger King 9

Sirens 2X 4

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

Sliema: J. Cachia, D. Paolella, E. Aquilina 3, M. Galea Pace 1, M. Meli 1, J. Soler 1, J. Paris 2, K. Engerer, F. Cutajar 1, R. Coleiro, G. Lubrano, A. Bianchi.

Sirens: J. Caruana Dingli, A. Grech, J. Rizzo Naudi, K. Rizzo Naudi, C. Cauchi, J. Valletta 1, J. Borg 1, D. Cutajar, K. Montfort, C. Zammit, C. Mercieca 2, R. Attard, N. Cassar.

Refs: M. Angileri, M. Dalli

Sliema showed they are in a class of their own as they dominated the St Paul’s Bay side from start to finish after having opened a three-goal lead.

Sirens suffered their second consecutive defeat after having lost to Neptunes last week.

Sirens disappointed all the way and John Farrugia’s team will have to work harder if they wish to remain in contention.

Sliema’s main heroes were E. Aquilina and veteran John Paris who scored three and two goals each respectively as Sliema’s win enabled them to open a three-point cushion at the top of the standings.

Neptunes Vodafone 5

Marsascala Breakers 5

(2-1 1-1 0-1 2-2)

Extra time: (2-1 1-1)

Neptunes: N. Gouder, N. Lanzon, S. Camilleri, K. Galea 2, E. Cachia, J. Brownrigg, S. Gravina, L. Attard, D. Camilleri 1, M. Azzopardi, Dean Camilleri, M. Stellini 2, M. Pisani 3.

Marsascala: I. Bugeja, C. Spiteri de Barro 2, A. Galea 1, P. Privitera 1, C. Gialanze 1, J. Xerri De Caro 1, J. Licari 1, L. Griscti, S. Micallef, R. Cutajar, P. Fava, M. Spiteri, D. Ciappara, S. Farrugia.

Refs: P. Balzan, M. Caruana

Marsascala dented Neptunes’ hopes of moving closer to leaders and rivals Sliema as they drew

5-5 in a tightly fought match, even though Neptunes went on to win the Sportswriters Cup in extra time.

For Marsascala, it was another good positive result after their draw with Sliema last week.

It was Michele Stellini who scored the winning goal for the Cup during extra time.

Ta’ Xbiex M. Paradise 13

Otters 4

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

These two sides made their first official showing this season after they decided not to take part in the first phase.

Ta’ Xbiex: C. Sciortino, G. Attard 1, A. Fero 1, K. Sciortino 4, C. D’Ugo, D. Dowling 1, N. Giordano, D. Schembri 3, J. Schembri, S. Balzan 3, P. Widowson, A. Tanti, P. Dimech.

Otters: R. Grech, D. Saliba, G. Zammit, S. Grech, J. Zammit, C. Zammit, P. Saliba 2, K. Mizzi, F. Bajada, S. Scicluna 1, E. Farrugia, B. Pavia, M. Tabone 1.

Refs: A. Deraffaele, R. Spiteri