Sliema McDonalds 23

Otters Nivea 8

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

Sliema went on their merry way to their second victory, a near repetition of their win over Marsaskala. Their scoring was regular in all the four sessions of play, with John Soler and Nikolai Lubrano scoring four goals apiece.

Another five goals were shared by the two foreigners, and Jerome Gabarretta grabbed a quick hat trick after the interval. Sliema had a newcomer, Nicky Bonello Ghio, who notched a brace of goals, and second keeper, David Abela went in goal, after the break, vice the regular Ryan Coleiro.

The Gozitans kept pace in the initial stages of the match, but then were limited to just a single goal in both of the middle periods, though they also missed a penalty, by Zoltan Radocz.

However the Hungarian scored a total of four goals. Duncan Schembri left his mark with a couple of well taken lobs.

Sliema did quite well in their extra palyer occasions, failing only once in their five man ups. On the contrary, the Gozitans could only find the net once in their five man advantage in the water.

Late goals gave Sliema a three goal advantage, after the opening session, after Otters had shared four goals with their adversaries.

The next two periods took Sliema well clear of their opponents, as Otters felt the brunt of Sliema’s forcing, and suffered half a dozen goals twice.

The last session was more even, with Otters reducing their deficit in the first part, but a four goal blitz had Sliema back on course, and, as in their previous victory, they again reached the twenty three goal mark.

Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta 3, N. Lubrano 4, P. Privitera 3, J. Spiteri Staines, J. Soler 4, N. Bonello Ghio 2, J. Brownrigg, C. Debono 1, M. Spiteri Staines 1, B. Rath 2, V. Balazs 3, D. Abela

Otters: J. Cremona, G. Attard 1, G. Zammit, Z. Radocz 4, D. Schembri 2, A. Maklari 1, K. Scicluna, S. Dimech, JP Buttigieg, G. Tabone, C. Martin, P. Martin, K. Grima Scott

Referees: M. Angileri, P. Giordano