Neptunes Vodafone 15

Sliema Burger King 7

(7-1, 4-1, 2-3, 2-2)

Newly-crowned champions Neptunes celebrated their 17th league championship with an easy win over arch-rivals Sliema so as to continue on their winning streak and to make happy and merry the large number of Neptunes' supporters, mostly clad in red, who attended at the pool.

On the other hand, and in total contrast, the Sliema stand was practically empty as the vast majority of supporters seemingly boycotted the pool in protest against the ASA.

Only some committee members and a handful of the very faithful were behind the team. The latter were missing Hungarian powerhouse Tibor Benedek and Edward Aquilina (they were suspended and will also miss the Knock-Out semi-final against Sirens, a tough draw for the Blues).

Neptunes were in a class of their own in the first two sessions as they totally annihilated their rivals and practically scored at random in the first eight minutes with Karl Galea (who was very influential in centre position this season) scoring an early hat-trick. He was soon followed by captain Niki Lanzon and Steve Camilleri (who slammed a penalty against the crossbar early on) on the 3-goal mark early in the second session.

Croatian star Dubravko Simenc was providing a number of crisp passes. Ryan Coleiro, who once again started between the posts for Sliema, thwarted other shots from the reds but still could not stop Neptunes opening a massive 11-2 lead at the change of ends.

Up to this point, Sliema were at a low morale having John Soler scoring the two goals, one from a penalty. Later he missed a second shot from the five-metre mark when the shot hit the crossbar. To make matters worse for them, they had a number of shots hitting the upright but still never looked to be on a par with their 'cousins'.

The last two sessions were a different affair as Neptunes, who were presented with a bouquet of flowers by Sliema before the game, played clearly at a lower gear (if this was really done out of respect towards their opponents, then it must be very much praised and to be followed by every team at all levels and in different sports) and this allowed Sliema to reduce the margin with a 3-2 score in the third session with Soler continuing to sting Gouder and Simenc scoring a brace for Neptunes.

When Simenc protested very visibly and when some Sliema players aired their protests in an audible manner towards the referees no action was taken!

In the last session, Sergio Afric put in young Andrea Sammut in goal and both sides shared four goals equally with S. Camilleri grabbing his fifth and long-serving David Camilleri (who formed part of the last Neptunes squad that won the league in 1993) scoring a diagonal scorcher from the right.

As for Sliema, Soler also registered his fifth goal and youngster Paul Felice had a positive debut as he managed to score with a bounce shot from the left. The Blues were, maybe, also lucky to have their central defender Cutajar receive three exclusions and remain in the pitch.

At the end of the match, Mr Simon Debono, on behalf of the sponsors, presented the new Wilkinson Sword Trophy to Neptunes' captain Niki Lanzon among the celebrations and merry-making of his team-mates, committee members and supporters. This was Neptunes' fourth consecutive local honour in a row following their success in last year's Knock-Out and this year's Winter League and the Presidents' Cup. Will they make it five in seven days time?

Neptunes: N. Gouder, N. Lanzon 3, T. Agius, D. Simenc 2, E. Cachia, J. Brownrigg, S. Camilleri 5, L. Attard, D. Camilleri 1, K. Galea 3, A. Sammut, M. Stellini, M. Pisani 1.

Sliema: R. Coleiro, C. Gialanze, M. Manara, M. Rizzo 1, J. Gabaretta, J. Soler 5, D. Paolella, P. Felice 1, C. Debono, F. Cutajar, J. Spiteri Staines, A. Bianchi, J. Cachia.

Refs: L. Ceccharelli, M. Dalli.

Ta' Xbiex MP 13

Otters ASC 11

(5-2, 1-3, 4-2, 3-4)

Ta' Xbiex ended their league campaign with a close win over Otters after a game with a tense finale as the Gozitans, on three occasions, came just a goal behind after a Marton Toth hat-trick.

Ta' Xbiex: C. Sciortino, G. Attard 1, K. Rizzo Naudi 2, K. Sciortino, M. Camilleri, J. Rizzo Naudi, C. Saliba, D. Schembri, T. Boyd, T. Van Oost 6, A. Tanti, S. Balzan, D. Pisani 4.

Otters: R. Grech, P. Saliba, G. Zammit 3, S, Grech, P. Cachia 1, Dav. Saliba 1, K. Mizzi, M. Toth 3, J. Buttigieg, S. Scicluna, Dar. Saliba 1, M. Tabone 2, E. Farrugia.

Refs: A. Deraffaele, P. Giordano

Marsascala Breakers 13

Exiles RMF 10

(3-3, 1-2, 5-1, 4-4)

Marsascala left the best for last and managed to beat rivals so as to fore a decider (presumably to be played tomorrow) as both teams have ended their league commitments at par in the table.

The match was interesting and both teams had a sizeable (for the second division) following on the stands.

M'Scala: I. Bugeja, J. Cachia, M. Spiteri, A. Galea 3, M. Borg Spiteri 1, S. Popovski 1, P. Fava 2, L. Grixti 1, S. Micallef 2, M. Fava, R. Cutajar, M. Zammit, D. Ciappara 3.

Exiles: N. Imbroll, A. Borg Cole, M. Zarb, D. Pace Lupi, T. Sullivan 3, G. Buttigieg, J. Paris 3, J. Cremona 1, J. Tabone, S. Gravina 2, M. Booij 1, A. Arrigo, M. Calleja.

Refs: I. Sciriha, M. Angileri.