Gerald Fenech

Neptunes Emirates 10

Sliema McDonalds 13

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

Sliema McDonalds became the first team to qualify for the final of the Winter League when they defeated their eternal rivals Neptunes Emirates 13-10 in the first semi final of the afternoon.

The first two sessions were dominated by Sliema who won 3-4 and 2-4 although Neptunes had raced into a two-goal lead in the first session.

Soler and Rath were instrumental for Sliema sharing five of the goals between them with Privitera also registering a brace till half time.

For Neptunes, Lanzon was the lynchpin scoring twice but the absence of the Camilleri brothers was sadly felt.

However Neptunes roared back in the third session winning it 3-1 to set up a score of 8-9 in the final session with just one goal in it.

But Sliema regained their composure in the final session winning 4-2 through a series of fine breakaways by Meli and Rath for a final score of 13-10 in their favour and progression to the Winter League final.

Neptunes Emirates: I Bugeja, N Lanzon (4), E Aquilina (1), M Stellini (2), Z Mizzi, K Debattista, T Agius, J Gauci, B Buhagiar (1), S Gravina (1), M Lanzon, D Debattista, M Pisani (1)

Sliema McDonalds: R Coleiro, M Spiteri Staines, N Lubrano, P Privitera (2), M Meli (1), J Soler (6), D Paolella, J Spiteri Staines, C Debono (1), M Cordina, B Rath (3), E Meli, D Abela

Referees: A DeRaffaele, A Farrugia

Sirens Ritter Sport 8

San Giljan Firetech 7

(1-1), (2-1), (3-2), (2-3)

Sirens Ritter Sport were the second team to qualify for the final when they narrowly defeated San Giljan Firetech in a hot tempered match.

The encounter was tight and the first two sessions produced only five goals with Sirens shading the second 2-1 after the first session finished 1-1.

The goals were spread across Anthony Galea, Gialanze, Clint Mercieca and Dino Zammit who netted a brace for the St Paul’s Bay side.

In the third session, the game sprung to life with San Giljan scoring twice in quick succession to go 4-3 up but three goals from Mercieca, who took his tally to four, made it 6-4 for Sirens at the end of the session.

The final session was a nail-biting affair but Sirens held on - although losing it 3-2 - to win 8-7 and meet Sliema in the final.

Sirens Ritter Sport: J Sammut, A Attard, J Napier, P Borg, A Sammut, V Bartolo, J Borg (1), D Cutajar, M Grech, C Zammit (1), L Caruana, D Zammit (2) C Mercieca (4)

San Giljan Firetech: D Camilleri, JC Cutajar, A Galea (2), K Galea (1), M Borg Spiteri (1), K Dowling (1), L Grixti, K Mock, C Gialanze (1), P Fava (1), M Fenech, K Schembri

Referees: P Balzan, R Spiteri