Marsascala SC 19

Otters Nivea 6

(4-2), (4-1), (5-3), (6-0)

Marsascala easily disposed of a rather weak Otters side who were out of the game just after they scored the first goal of the encounter. The Southseasiders chalked up a 4-2 lead in the first session mostly through the instructive efforts of Peter Borg but Otters pegged back through Szabo and Cachia.

The second session was ordinary administration for Marsascala who continued scoring at regular intervals through Suti and Botond. The only entertainment was in the form of a scuffle as the teams changed sides which ended up with police intervention as players furiously came to blows having to be pegged back by officials. Micallef was also expelled for brutality leaving Marsascala with six men for four minutes.

In fact Otters made the most of their advantage going 3-2 up in the third session but eventually, Marsascala’s strength prevailed to win the session 5-3. The final session was a mere formality as Marsascala continued increasing the scoreline at will and romp to an easy win.

Marsascala SC: Bugeja I, Borg P (2), Cutajar J C, Borg M (2), Ghirxi G, Grixti L, Licari J (1), Cremona J (1), Micallef S, Cutajar R (2), Botond S (5), Suti G (6), Farrugia S

Otters Nivea: Grech R, Saliba D, Zammit G L, Dimech S, Caruana D, Szabo P (2), Scicluna K, Baco K (1), Martin C, Cachia L (2), Arrigo A (1), Tabone M, Farrugia E

Referees: Caruana M, Deraffaele A

Neptunes Vodafone 10

Sliema Macdonalds 11

(2-3), (0-2), (5-4), (3-2)

In the match of the season, Sliema Macdonalds faced off against Neptunes Vodafone in what was a must win match for the Blues to retain any semblance of hope in retaining their 2008 league title.

Sliema began with a blinder taking a three goal lead through Fodor (2) and Valletta only for Neptunes to pull two back from man up situations through Kunac although their finishing was wasteful especially on Sottani’s part.

The second session was a closely fought affair but Sliema continued increasing their advantage through two goals by Bogdan Rath, one of them a penalty. Although Neptunes had a better press they were again wasteful in their shooting which was wayward and off target.

The third session was a see saw affair with Sliema going 1-0 up but Neptunes stormed back with goals from Pisani and Sottani. Sliema equalized through rath only for Neptunes to come within one goal through Pisani and Galea. A rare miss on Neptunes side let Sliema go three goals up again before Sottani made it 7-9 for a rousing final session with the match balanced on a knife edge.

The final session saw Sliema maintaining and actually increasing their advantage to draw level with Neptunes on 14 points each at the top of the table.

Neptunes Vodafone: Gouder N, Lanzon N (1), Agius T , Galea K (1), Cachia E, Sciortino R, Camilleri S (1), Camilleri J, Kunac A (3), Gravina S, Sottani L (2), Stellini M, Pisani M (2)

Sliema McDonalds: Cachia J, Gabaretta J, Lubrano N, Fodor R (2), Meli M (1), Soler J, Paolella D, Brownrigg J (1), Debono C (1), Valletta J (2), Rizzo M, Rath B (4), Coleiro R

Referees: D. Bianco, M. Ancilleri