After their strong opening win against Sliema, Neptunes made short shrift against San Giljan, as the latter were making their entry in the winter league.

San Giljan had two new signings in ex-M'scala players John Xerri de Caro and Anthony Galea, who returned after years away from the fold. They also had a new mentor in Guzi Attard, who seems to have his hands full after this opening heavy defeat.

Except for a brief period at the start of the match, when San Giljan led twice, it was Neptunes all the way. Two converted man-ups put them in front and in the second session they ran riot, with Steve Camilleri and captain Niky Lanzon scoring at will, to go in at half-time with their minds at rest.

Neptunes relaxed a little in the third period, although they still managed to increase their lead with a further three goals. San Giljan continued to miss their man-up advantages, in the third and last sessions, but with Neptunes abstaining from their stifling defence they managed to score a couple of goals, with Neptunes also netting twice in between. The two teams will have different aims in their next games.

San Giljan: 2 Matthew Zammit, 1 Anthony Galea, 1 John Xerri de Caro, 1 Keith Grima Scott

Neptunes: 6 Steve Camilleri, 5 Niky Lanzon, 2 Michele Stellini, 2 Sean Gravina, 1 David Camilleri, 1 Matthew Pisani

Referees: Ivan Sciriha, Ronnie Spiteri

M'xlokk Freeport 4

Sliema Burger King 16

(0-5)(0-4)(2-3)(2-4)

M'xlokk were again at the wrong end of a drubbing as Sliema, still smarting following their heavy defeat by arch-rivals Neptunes, turned on the heat in this second match, straight from the start to register a high score and restore some of their confidence for the remaining games.

M'xlokk were already in a difficult situation, with only nine players on the list, having Jason Vella and Gordon Zammit missing from their first match.

It was a tale of goals being scored at regular intervals by the Sliema side, who started off on a top note, with Andrea Bianchi netting after only 15 seconds of play, and adding a second goal just a minute later.

When 0-5 down M'xlokk failed their first man-up attempt. Sliema added another four goals in the second session, and Edward Aquilina was the protagonist after the break, finding the net on three occasions, before M'xlokk could open their account on their second man-up, through Simon Cachia, and Charles Bugeja added a second just before the period ended.

Both sides made good use of their extra player occasions. Sliema put on a spurt at the end, grabbing the game's last two goals.

M'xlokk: 2 Simon Cachia, 1 Alan Farrugia, 1 Charles Bugeja

Sliema: 6 Edward Aquilina, 5 John Soler, 2 Andrea Bianchi, 1 Daniel Paolella, 1 Francesco Cutajar, 1 Miguel Manara

Referees: Miro Caruana, Peter Giordano