Sliema dented the new champions’ aspirations to make a double which has eluded them from 1988 and also won their third honour this year after the Winter League and the President’s Cup.

There were no holds barred for this match with both sides going tooth and nail for the final honour and with fortunes fluctuating throughout the whole encounter.

Sliema made the first breakthrough in the second period taking a four goal advantage but this did not serve them enough as Neptunes came roaring back to eradicate their deficit and take a lead themselves by mid fourth quarter.

When it looked as if the Blues were in for yet another defeat, they rose grandly to tuck in a trio of goals and Neptunes’ last efforts failed to produce any result.

Jerome Gabarretta played a match to remember getting a nap hand of goals for Sliema and Michele Stellini played his heart out for Neptunes obtaining a hat trick.

Neptunes did not do as they desired in their man up occasions netting five times from a total of nine extra player situations. The winners took their chances well from a player more in the water failing only once from seven man ups.

The two teams were level after the opening session with Neptunes drawing first blood and Sliema getting even with a late strike five seconds from the end of the session. Neptunes went back in front in the next period but then they were hit by a Sliema tide as the Blues rammed in five goals in succession.

Neptunes managed to get back in the match and a four goal deficit with two late goals inching towards Sliema who were 6-4 ahead at the interval.

In the third quarter Neptunes struck three times but Sliema got two goals in between and were still a goal to the good at 8-7 when the final session started.

Neptunes opened up strongly and overturned the score as they went 10-9 in front with a feeling of deja vu but Sliema had other ideas and three goals in a row had them enjoying a double lead late in the match.

Neptunes were back to just a goal behind and it was left to an ex-player of theirs Aljosa Kunac to sink their hopes with a long distance shot to leave the Blues home and dry.

After the match Sliema received their reward and their medals from the BOV Chief Officer Peter Perotti as their captain Clint Debono held aloft the trophy which they have now won for 25 times and for the last four seasons.

Neptunes: N. Gouder N. Lanzon 2 B. Lanzon M. Stellini 3 D. Camilleri V. Vujasinovic 1 S. Camilleri 2 J. Camilleri 1 B. Buhagiar S. Gravina T. Molnar 2 M. Pisani I Bugeja

Sliema: R. Coleiro J. Gabarretta 5 N. Lubrano P. Privitera 1 M. Meli 1 J. Soler 2 M. Spiteri Staines J. Brownrigg 1 C. Debono A. Kunac 1 M. Rizzo B. Rath 2 D. Abela

Referees: P. Balzan D. De Meo