San Giljan Big Bon 14

M'xlokk Freeport 4

(6-0)(2-1)(4-2)(2-1)

The Saints didn’t have any great hassle from Marsaxlokk in this one-sided match, as San Giljan ground out their first victory, after their heavy defeat against neighbours, Neptunes. On the other hand M’xlokk were tumbling to their third straight defeat, and their goals away column keeps on increasing rapidly.

The issue was already safe for the Saints after the first session, when they had bagged half a dozen goals. After this strong opening San Giljan slackened off in the second session, allowing M'xlokk a greater degree of freedom, although this was not reflected in goals, as only three were shared between the two sides.

After the break play was still balanced, and it was only in the last minute of the third quarter that San Giljan managed to grab a couple of goals to augment their score. They did the same just before the end of the match, to win all the sessions.

The Saints scored three times from five man-up occasions and M’xlokk utilised well their only extra player incidence.

San Giljan: 3 A. Galea, 3 J. Xerri de Caro, 3 K. Lanzon, 2 M. Zammit, 1 I. Azzopardi, 1 S. Borg, 1 K. Grima Scott

M'xlokk: 1 A. Farrugia, 1 N. Kerr, 1 C. JOnes, 1 S. Cutajar

Referees: P. Balzan, A, De Raffaele

Sirens 2X 4

Sliema Burger King 5

(0-0)(0-1)(2-4)(2-0)

This game was the closest fought since the start of this winter league. Both sides tried to improve on their last victory, but they were also very wary of each other.

In fact both teams managed to neutralise each other in the first period, as both frittered their opening man-up occasion. and both teams failed to score. There was also a dearth of goals in the second session, with Sliema opening their account through another man-up, as the two sides again missed their other extra player chances, and that only goal separated the two sides at half time.

The third session then came into life. Sirens put Alan Grech in goal as Joe Caruana Dingli is being eased out , due to his age. Before he had time to settle down Grech was beaten twice, and Sliema seemed to be cruising against their opponents. Sirens had other ideas as they converted their next man-up occasion and added another goal.

They were jolted again as Sliema scored twice more, both with extra player advantage, to go 5-2 ahead after three sessions. Sirens went into total press in the last period and Sliema were in difficulties when the St Pauls Bay side pulled back once more to just a goal down. There was still enough time, but Josie Cachia was a tower of strenght in Sliema’s goal throughout the whole match, and Sirens couldn’t put another goal past him. Sliema also contrived to waste another two man-up plays, but they held out till the end , to reach Neptunes in the standings, although with more games.

Sliema scored three times from seven extra player chances whilst Sirens had two conversions from five occasions.

Sirens: 1 J. Valletta, 1 K. Montfort, 1 C. Mercieca, 1 N. Cassar

Sliema: 2 E. Aquilina, 2 J. Soler, 1 D. Paolella

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Miro Caruana