San Giljan Zara registered their first victory when they beat Marsascala in yesterday’s opening match.

It was a keenly contested affair until midway into the second session when an incident marred proceedings.

It all started with one minute and 29 seconds to go for the end of the second session. With the score at 6-5 in San Giljan’s favour, Marsascala had two players sent off. One of them, John Licari appeared heading towards the referee, Mario Dalli, at the far end of the pool. After an exchange of words with the official, and despite some efforts to hold him by his team colleagues and officials, he attacked the official physically. Later he was escorted out of the pool by team officials and then the match could continue.

Marsascala were left to play with six men for four minutes and it was at this stage that San Giljan took the game in their hands, turning a 4-3 first session deficit into a 7-5 lead which increased to 12-7 by the end of the third session. Following that the Saints were in command and there was no stopping them with Clyde Bonello, M. Cuk and Matthew Zammit leading their scorers' list with three each.Sasko Popovski was leading scorer for Marsascala with five goals.

For the record, San Giljan’s scorers were M. Cuk (3), M. Zammit (3), S. Spiteri De Barro (2), C. Bonello (3), J. Xerri De Caro (1) and T. Galea (1).

P. Fava (1), J. Licari (1), D. Ciappara (1), S. Popovski (5), S. Micallef replied for Marsascala.

Marsascala: D. Camilleri, K. Schembri, T. Galea, C. Bonello, I. Azzopardi, M. Zammit, M. Cuk, M. Pace, G. Ghirxi, R. Xerri, A. Spiteri De Barro, J. Xerri De Caro, K. Lanzon.

San Giljan: I. Bugeja, JC Cutajar, S. Farrugia, P. Fava, M. Borg Spiteri, S. Popovski, J. Licari, L. Grixti, M. Fava, S. Micallef, R. Cutajar, M. Spiteri, D. Ciappara.

Referees: M. Dalli, P. Balzan.

* * *

Sliema Burger King 13

Exiles 9

(3-3, 3-3, 4-1, 3-2)

Sliema obtained the second victory on the trot to go temporarily on top of the standings with Neptunes and Sirens having today’s matches in hand.

The Blues yesterday beat Exiles although their rivals fought hard and emerged from the pool with their heads held high.

In fact, Sliema only took command before the end of the third session as they took a 10-7 lead.

From then on, the Blues remained in command as they controlled their opponents well in the final session to extend their lead by one more goal.

For Sliema, Hungarian Tibor Benedek was their leading scorer with five goals, followed by Edward Aquilina (3), Christian Gialanze (2), John Soler, Mark Meli and Francesco Cutajar, one each.

The scorers for Exiles were Dutch centre Gerben Silvis (4), Martin Calleja (2), John Paris (2) and Timmy Sullivan.

Sliema BK: J. Cachia, C. Gialanze, E. Equilina, M. Rizzo, M. Meli, J. Soler, D. Paolella, T. Benedek, C. Debono, F. Cutajar, G. Lubrano, A. Bianchi, R. Coleiro.

Exiles: N. Imbroll, S. Vassallo, M. Zarb, J. Cuschieri, T. Sullivan, G. Desira Buttigieg, J. Paris, J. Cremona, J. Tabone, K. Griscti, G. Silvis, A. Arrigo, M. Calleja.

Referees: M. Caruana, R. Spiteri.