Sliema McDonalds 13

S. Giljan Trop. Juices 8

(4-2)(4-2)(2-3)(3-1)

After a rare two defeats in a row, the champions are back in business, and they followed up a good win over Sirens, by making amends for the defeat suffered against San Giljan, in the opening round of the league.

Sliema had Rajmund Fodor back in the water, after his nose injury, which kept him out for three matches, and he resumed the team's playmaking, spraying his passes, and keeping a tight lookout on his adversaries' attacking moves. John Soler was back to his goal-poaching acts, and Jerome Gabarretta made his presence felt in the five-metre zone.

San Giljan suffered two defeats in five days, and their high hopes took quite a dash. They had Boris Popovic suspended for two matches, and his place was taken by the Italian Federico Pagani, who scored a brace, but also failed a penalty throw.

Yugo Vasovic's four strikes were not enough, and San Giljan were always chasing their opponents.

Sliema scored on seven occasions, from the 11 man ups in their favour, but San Giljan had a bad time in their expulsions, scoring only four times from a total of 15 extra player instances.

Sliema's first goals, by Gabarretta and Fodor, had a reply from Vasovic, twice, for the Saints. Sliema went back in front with a Bogdan Rath penalty and John Soler, for a double lead.

In the second period Pagani scoreD a penalty for San Giljan, but Gabarretta scoreD twice more for Sliema. In between Pagani failed his penalty throw, smashing his shot against the crossbar.

Another penalty for the Saints, this time converted by Vasovic, reduced the arrears, but the champions extended their lead, with goals by Soler and John Brownrigg, for an 8-4 halftime advantage.

In the third session another Soler lob increased Sliema's lead further, but Pagani, Kayne Lanzon and Vasovic brought the Saints back in the reckoning, but they were dealt a blow when Brownrigg obtained his second strike, for a 10-7 lead for the champions.

In the final quarter Sliema made doubly sure with further goals by Daniel Paolella and Michael Rizzo. Claudio Spiteri de Barro scored with a fine backhand for the Saints, but it was Soler with the last goal of the match, for a good win for Sliema, going just behind Neptunes, who they will meet next Friday.

Sliema: J. Cachia, 3 J. Gabarretta, N. Lubrano, 1 R. Fodor, M. Meli, 4 J. Soler, 1 D. Paolella, 2 J. Brownrigg, C. Debono, J. Valletta, 1 M. Rizzo, 1 B. Rath, R. Coleiro

San Giljan: D. Camilleri, 1 C. Spiteri de Barro, C. Gialanze, 2 F. Pagani, M. Borg Spiteri, M. Zammit, P. Fava, A. Bianchi, M. Pace, K. Schembri, 4 Y. vasovic, J. Xerri de Caro, 1 K. Lanzon

Referees: P. Balzan, A. Rovida

Division 2

Exiles Jet Services 17

Marsaxlokk 12

(5-2)(4-3)(5-2)(3-5)

round saw Exiles consolidating their top position, with a second victory over M'xlokk, who had obtained their first win just the day before, against Otters.

Exiles were a confident lot, and their two contrasting foreigners give them an extra dimension to their game.

Exiles: A. Borg Cole, 1 J. Rizzo naudi, 1 K. Rizzo Naudi, D. Pace Lupi, 7 T. Sullivan, A. Cachia, 3 R. Chomakhidze, K. Grixti, A. Zarb Cousin, 4 A. Cousin, S. Vassallo, K. Enriquez, 1 M. Calleja

M’xlokk: E. Arrigo, G. Attard, R. Calleja, 3 A. Farrugia, 6 A. Razzi, C. Bugeja, M. Bartolocci, 1 E. Bonello, M. Buttigieg, K. Grima Scott,, 2 R. Attard, M. Zammit

Referees: A. de Raffaele, R. Spiteri