Neptunes did the double over Sirens, after their last second victory in the first round, to tie with Sliema at the top of the standings.

Both sides changed their foreign player, with Tamaz Mercz taking over from Zsolt Varga, for Sirens, and Neptunes having Vladimir Vujosinovic vice Ivan Milankov.

Both players are an improvement for the two teams. From the man-up point of view Sirens had an awful record, with a single goal from nine occasions, and Neptunes also guilty, with two conversions from ten situations.

The game had a cautious start, with Sirens’ Paul Privitera netting the opening goal, but then Sirens started to miss their extra player occasions, allowing Neptunes to take a first session minimal lead.

Neptunes kept up their pressing in the second period, and with Sirens still failing their man ups and Vujasinovic grabbing his second goal, the St. Pauls Bay club were trailing 1-4 at the interval, and unable to penetrate their opponents' defence.

After the break things took a turn for the better for Sirens, although they suffered another goal, as Steve Camilleri started to find more space.

Mercz started Sirens’ recovery, with a couple of goals, and Paul Privitera also put in his second before being fouled out.

Sirens began the last session just a goal down, but Steve Camilleri edged Neptunes into a better lead, and Sirens had no reply.

Further goals by David and Steve Camilleri made the issue safe for Neptunes.

Jurgen Borg got the only Sirens conversion from their many man up occasions, but they were still at a distance, and Steve Camilleri drilled in the last nail, as Neptunes made the leeway, to join their arch rivals, Sliema, at the top of the table.

SIRENS: A. Grech, P. Fava, 2 T. Mercz, 2 P. Privitera, J. Rizzo Naudi, R. Scerri, 1 J. Borg, D. Cutajar, K. Montfort, C. Zammit, C. Mercieca, R. Attard, E. Arrigo

NEPTUNES: N. Gouder, 1. N. Lanzon, G. Sammut, 1 K. galea, J. Brownrigg, 2 V. Vujasinovic, 4 S. Camilleri, L. Attard, 1 D. camilleri, S. Gravina, R. Sciortino, M. Stellini, M. Pisani

REFEREES: M. Dalli, A. Pascucci

Exiles Pender Garden 13

Otters 8

(5-0)(1-2)(5-2)(2-4)

Exiles pulled away from the Marsascala and Ta’ Xbiex to become sole leaders of the second division league after their expected victory over a tame Otters side.

Exiles’ rampant opening set the game, although credit must be given to the Gozitans, who rallied twice, in the second and last sessions, to make the score a more respectable one.

Exiles sported their new signing Karl Rizzo Naudi, from Sirens, and Desira Buttigieg made his first appearance. Otters also had a new face, in veteran Leonard Cachia.

Exiles were all over their opponents in the first quarter, as Aurelien Cousin ran riot, and netted four of his side’s goals. Otters got in the game in the second session, with a couple of goals, but they were still 2-6 down at the interval.

The third quarter was again in Exiles’ hands, as they registered another nap hand score, with Timmy Sullivan grabbing a hat trick, but Otters managed a good ending to the session, as they scored another couple of goals.

In the last period Cousin added further personal goals, but then Exiles faded away, to allow Otters to score the game’s last three goals through Stefan Grech and Edward Farrugia and gain some satisfaction from their defeat.

EXILES: 6 A. Cousin, 4 T. Sullivan, 1 K. Rizzo Naudi, 1 M. Zarb, 1 M. Calleja

OTTERS: 3 S. Grech, 3 E. Farrugia, 2 G. Zammit

REFEREES: A. De Raffaele, R. Spiteri