Neptunes lasted the match on a better note, to hand the champions their second league defeat, and register a double over them this season.

Sirens had to make do without their Hungarian player, Tamas Marcz, nursing a shoulder injury, and, for some time in the second session, Paul Privitera was also out of the water, being attended to for a facial knock. Neptunes are now sole leaders.

Sirens couldn't have had a better start: they pumped in three goals in the opening session, as Neptunes frittered their man-ups. In fact Neptunes only managed to convert two occasions out of eight extra player situations.

Sirens didn't fare much better, as they only scored in their first man-up, but then failed on four occasions in the last session, as Neptunes took the lead for the first time in the game.

Neptunes put in two quick goals in the second quarter, but Sirens restored their original lead, for a 5-2 score. Steve Camilleri scored at the end of the session, for Neptunes to creep nearer at half-time.

After the break both sides scored early on, but Sirens' two goal lead was shortlived, as Neptunes started to combine better, and two late goals brought them level, for a level score at the beginning of the last quarter.

Here both sides were wasteful, failing to score on two occasions each in their man-ups. Not only that, but Neptunes lost possession almost immediately on their last one, and Clive Mercieca caught goalie Nicky Gouder stranded nearly in mid-pitch to lob the ball cutely in an unguarded net, as Sirens went back in front.

Neptunes took only some seconds to draw level again. Sirens lost two more man-ups, and in between Neptunes scored the decisive goals that rewarded them the points. Dudo Simenc flashed in a pile driver, and as Sirens were reeling, a quick break sealed the issue, as Karl Galea concluded a two on one attack. There was still time but Sirens lost heart and Neptunes could pull through, for a sole top spot.

Neptunes: N. Gouder, N. Lanzon 3, T. Agius, D. Simenc 2, E. Cachia, J. Brownrigg, S. Camilleri 2, L. Attard, D. Camilleri 1, K. Galea 1, A. Sammut, M. Stellini, M. Pisani.

Sirens: J. Caruana Dingli, E. Bonello, N. Cassar 1, P. Privitera 2, C. Zammit, J. Valletta 2, J. Borg, D. Cutajar, K. Montfort, T. Marcz, C. Mercieca 2, R. Attard, A. Grech

Referees: A. Rovida, I. Sciriha