San Giljan pulled off a stunning recovery to make up a four goal deficit in the last four minutes of the match and took the match into extra time, but Neptunes recovered in overtime to claim a place in the final where they will meet arch rivals and holders Sliema next Sunday.

This Balluta derby had all the ingredients of an enjoyable and watchable encounter, even though it looked cut and dried with a session to go, as Neptunes held a five goal advantage. But they were harried off their stride in the last stages of the game, and very nearly paid the price.

There were a large number of man ups at both ends, with Neptunes having a good average with seven goals from eleven occasions, but San Giljan were not so prolific scoring six times from a total of thirteen man ups.

Neptunes opened the scoring through Nicky Lanzon and Jordan Camilleri, but Matthew Zammit pulled a goal back for San Giljan till the end of the session.

Steve Camilleri had his penalty throw saved by Dean Camilleri in the Saints' goal at the start of the second period, and Poris Popovic drew level for the Saints. Neptunes were back in front through Aljosa Kunac and Steve Camilleri, only for Andrea Bianchi to halve the deficit. At the interval Neptunes were on a slim 4-3 advantage.

In the third quarter Neptunes seemed to make the game their own, as they put in four goals without any reply from the Saints. Matthew Pisani, Michele Stellini, Steve Camilleri and Pisani once more seemed to have the game sewn up with a strong 8-3 lead at the start of the final session.

Yugo Vasovic reduced the arrears for San Giljan but Steve Camilleri was on hand to score another Neptunes goal. Popovic grabbed a brace for the Saints, the second from a penaly, but Leo Sottani scored for Neptunes and although Zammit found the back of the net for the Saints, a Steve Camilleri penalty made it 11-7 for Neptunes, with just a little more than four minutes to go.

It looked allover, but San Giljan came up with a riproaring finale as John Xerri de Caro, Zammit, Kayne Lanzon and Popovic levelled the score late in the game.

There was still to come as Neptunes had Pisani to lob in thirteen seconds from time as they breathed a sigh of relief.

This turned to a groan of disbelief as Popovic forced an equaliser, just four seconds from time, and the two teams had to go into extra time.

Neptunes gathered their wits and a brace by Lanzon, and another Steve Camilleri goal, gave them the space they needed, for the remaining period of overtime. Stellini made the issue safe, with a further goal, but San Giljan were still dangerous, as Zammit put in two goals more, but in between Sottani kept Neptunes' lead stable. Round that time San Giljan's coach Marco Risso, was sent off for dissent and Neptunes could finally be sure of a place in the final, and the last stab of a major honour.

Neptunes: N. Gouder, 2 N. Lanzon, B. Giorgio, K. Galea, E. Cachia, R. Sciortino, 5 S. Camilleri, J. Camilleri, 1 A. Kunac, S. Gravina, 2 L. Sottani,2 M. Stellini, 2 M. Pisani

San Giljan: D. Camilleri, C. Spiteri de Barro, C. Gialanze, 5 B. Popovic, M. Borg Spiteri, 5 M. Zammit, P. Fava, 1 A. Bianchi, M. Pace, K. Schembri, 1 Y. Vasovic, 1 J. Xerri de Caro, 1 K. lanzon

Referees: I. Sciriha, D. De Meo