Play Offs 1st Place

Neptunes Emirates 18

Sliema McDonalds 17 (aet)

(1-3)(3-7)(7-1)(4-4) - (3-2)(0-0)

It was a match to savour. There were two distinct phases, as Neptunes seemed out of touch till the interval, with Sliema on top of their game. Then it was topsy turvy time, with Sliema struggling against a revitalized Neptunes outfit, as the Balluta Bay side not only made up a hefty six goal deficit, in just a period of play, but also went ahead, and later on forced extra time. Neptunes edged it in the first period of added play, as the second session went goalless.

There were numerous occasion of an extra man in the water for both sides, with neptunes converting only three from their ten favourable expulsions. Sliema were better, scoring seven times from a total of thirteen, but they missed two crucial occasions, in the second session of extra time, and paid the price.

Neptunes captain, Nicky Lanzon, grabbed a four goal tally for his side, as did Rajmund Fodor and Paul Privitera for the Blues.

After making up a two goal advantage in the opening session, Sliema then threatened to run away with the match, when they were 10-4 in front, halfway through the encounter. Neptunes came roaring back after the interval, when they score seven times, with just a single reply from their opponents, and the score was tied. Sliema then led three times in the final period, but Neptunes always reacted well, and extra time had to be played. Lanzon came to the forefront for Neptunes, after some slack marking. And although Sliema twice came to within a goal, they lost their last two man ups, and Neptunes emerged winners, to start off the top division with five points to their credit, to Sliema’s three.

Neptunes I. Bugeja, N. Lanzon 4, E. Aquilina 1, M. Stellini 2, J. Camilleri 2, Z. Mizzi, S. Camilleri 1, V. Gojkovic 2, B. Buhagiar, S, Gravina 2, R. Sciortino, T. Molnar 3, M. Pisani 1

Sliema R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta 3, N. Lubrano 1, R. Fodor 4, P. Privitera 4, J. Soler 1, D. Paolella, J. Brownrigg, C. Debono 1, M. Spiteri Staines, B. Rath 3, J. Spiteri Staines, D. Abela

Referees M. Dalli, M. Monnis