Neptunes made it a back-to-back championship success after practically annihilating and wiping out arch rivals Sliema, in yesterday's much-awaited final league encounter which was watched by a bumper crowd clad in either red or blue.

It was the 18th championship crown for this club based in Balluta Bay and led administratively by president Matthew Bonello and technically steered by Sergio Afric, assisted by Karl Izzo.

If their outing against Sirens (with a 14-3 win) was termed by many as splendid, then the reds saved the best for last as they produced a magnificent display and outclassed their rivals, registering a score that will surely be remembered for quite some time.

The reds suffered only one defeat in this summer campaign, incidentally against Sliema in the preliminary round, back in mid-June. Since then Neptunes moved forward with eight consecutive games without defeat including a last gasp winner against Sirens, a low score draw against Sliema and an impressive large win over Sirens just two weeks ago.

Neptunes had a positive start when they won a penalty late in the first minute thanks mostly to Matthew Pisani's crafty ploy of going underwater after Josie Cachia had made two point blank saves off Vujasinovic and S. Camilleri on a Debono exclusion.

Pisani saw Soler recieve the ball and came from underneath him to steal it and then was fouled for a penalty. Steve Camilleri took the responsibility and made it 1-0.

Sliema, from the outset, started having problems to penetrate the Neptunes rearguard as Sergio Afric prepared a very tight defence apart from having Nicky Gouder in an awesome form.

Early in the sixth minute the reds' lead was increased when David Camilleri's shot from some six metres was deflected just enough to outplay Cachia's efforts to stop the ball.

Neptunes kept the momento and Matthew Pisani managed to find Sliema's net with a delicate lob so as to make it 3-0.

Just before the end of the first session Sliema, who had to do without defender Francesco Cutajar, had an opportunity to open the score when Pisani was excluded but Neptunes' defence blocked the Blues' attempt.

The second session commenced with Gouder making a good save off a close range Meli effort. Half a minute later Varga was excluded after fouling Vujasinovic and S. Camilleri, from a central position, made it 4-0.

Sliema's goal drought was broken midway in the 14th minute when D. Camilleri was excluded and Tamas Varga managed to beat Gouder. The Blues' hopes were surely revived when Varga got his brace, just 18 seconds from the session's end, when he shot powerfully on a Stellini exclusion.

However the Blues committed what seemed to be a blatant exclusion foul which gave a good chance to Neptunes to close the session three goals ahead and this is, in fact, what happened as Pisani had a lob hitting the crossbar and Soler fouled Gravina for a second penalty in the match.

Four seconds from the change of ends it was Vladimir Vujasinovic who coolly scored from five metres for a 5-2 score.

Once again Gouder came to Neptunes' rescue early in the third session. Shortly afterwards Sliema had a Stellini man-up (now on his second fault) but Aquilina's shot was blocked.

A minute later Meli was excluded and Vujasinovic made it a personal brace with a powerful low shot to the left corner just as Meli was re-entering into the pitch.

In Neptunes' subsequent offensive ploy, Valletta was excluded definitely and Vujasinovic registered his hat-trick and made it 7-2 with the reds' clan now already sensing the title.

John Brownrigg made it 8-2 with a six-metre shot off a free throw with only one second on the shot clock.

Early in the 27th minute Pisani scored his second when he broke away clear as now there was no stopping the reds' supporters from celebrating the title and a big victory over their rivals.

Mark Meli scored a consolation goal for Sliema when his team had a double man-up with D. Camilleri and Brownrigg excluded simultaneously.

Michael Rizzo made it 9-4 with a low shot midway in the session's fourth minute but then Neptunes closed the game, and league, in style with a 3-0 run to make it a big eight-goal margin.

Steve Camilleri scored twice to register his poker with Soler finishing out of the game in between these goals. Then, 90 seconds from time, Pisani broke away on a solitary break and notched the league's last goal.

At the end of the match there were big celebrations by the Neptunes' clan as they celebrated their 18th championship and second in a row. The biggest cheer was reserved for when their captain, Niki Lanzon, was awarded the Wilkinson Sword trophy from Ms. Lara Scicluna, on behalf of the league's sponsors, and he raised the cup towards the supporters.

Neptunes: N. Gouder, N. Lanzon, J. Camilleri, M. Stellini, J. Brownrigg 1, V. Vujasinovic 3, S. Camilleri 4, L. Attard, D. Camilleri 1, S. Gravina, R. Sciortino, G. Sammut, M. Pisani 3.

Sliema: J. Cachia, C. Gialanze, N. Lubrano, E. Aquilina, M. Rizzo 1, M. Meli 1, J. Soler, T. Varga 2, J. Valletta, C. Debono, D. Paolella, A. Bianchi, J. Gabaretta.

Refs: L. Bianco, M. Dalli