Sliema came a cropper once more, this time at the hands of a cool, calm and collected Sirens side, themselves tasting victory, after a barren run of three defeats. Sliema were but a shadow of the side that dominated the first round, winning all their matches, and it was also Igor Gocanin’s second loss, since taking over the Sliema outfit, in the second round.

Sirens were in command throughout the whole game, and never allowed Sliema any spaces.

Sliema were shut out in the opening session, losing out on two man ups, and suffering a couple of goals in the process.

They went further behind in the second quarter, before they finally opened their account through a Paolella fast counter attack, but they were still 1-3 in arrears, at the interval, as Sirens were blocking all their opponents’ efforts.

After the break Sirens were still holding the edge, as a second Jurgen Borg goal and a fine Paul fava backhand, kept their side buoyant. Sliema could only trail 3-5 with a session to go. Jonathan Valletta’s second goal against his old club, and Tamas Varga's hard, central shot put Sliema a goal behind on two occasions, but Karl Montfort's second goal, and a scorching Tamasz Mercz backhand, from six metres, made the issue safe for the St Paul’s Bay side, and Paul Fava had the easiest of tasks to put in his team’s last goal, as Sliema were caught in their last frantic attacks.

Besides Sirens, there were also happy smiles at the Neptunes' end, being given an occasion to become sole leaders today, if they can dispose of San Giljan.

Sliema: J. Cachia, C. Gialanze, 1 E. Aquilina, M. Rizzo, M. Meli, J. Soler, T. Varga, 2 J. Valletta, C. Debono, F. Cutajar, 1 D. Paolella, A. Bianchi, R. Coleiro

Sirens: A. Grech, 2 P. fava, 1 T. Mercz, 1 P. Privitera, J. Rizzo Naudi, E. Bonello, 2 J. Borg, D. Cutajar, 2 K. Montfort, C. Zammit, C. Mercieca, R. Attard, J. Sammut

Referees: P. Balzan, A. Severo

* * *

Ta’ Xbiex MP 14

Otters 8

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

Ta’ Xbiex are momentarily at the top of the standings, after an expected win over a battling Otters side, who now have acquired a penchant of finding their opponents’ net on several occasions in the last session, to make the score a more respectable one.

Ta’ Xbiex were never in any danger of suffering a surprise. Roman Paolcik’s hard shooting and Dorian Pisani’s good shooting kept Otters at a safe distance throughout the match.

Ta’ Xbiex were 6-2 ahead midway through the match, and there further goals at both ends, as defences became lax near the end of the game.

There were few man up occasions, with Ta’ Xbiex missing both their chances, and Otters only converting their last man up on three instances.

Ta’ Xbiex: 5 R. Polacik, 3 D. Pisani, 2 P. Paolellea, 1 M. Manara, 1 K. Sciortino, 1 M. Camilleri, 1 K. Engerer

Otters: 3 T. Simon, 1 S. Grech, 1 K. Mizzi, 1 L. Cachia, 1 C. Saliba, 1 S. Scerri

Referees: M. Caruana, A De Raffaele