Sliema McDonalds 7

Neptunes Emirates 9

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

Neptunes Emirates prevailed in their clash against Sliema McDonalds whom they beat 9-7 to continue in their quest for the Winter League title.

In what was billed as the match of the Winter League, Sliema McDonalds faced off against eternal rivals Neptunes Emirates although the latter were undoubtedly on a much better form than the Blues.

In fact Neptunes started strongly and took the first session 2-0 with goals from Michele Stellini and Jordan Camilleri. The second session also went Neptunes’ way where they won 3-1 with Lanzon, Stellini and Camilleri scoring for the Reds while Mark Meli pulled one back for Sliema.

However Sliema came back strongly in the third session taking a 4-1 lead through Brownrigg, Privitera and Rizzo. However a late goal by Lanzon saw the teams go to the final session with the same two goal advantage Neptunes enjoyed at the end of the first session.

The final session ended 2-2 with Neptunes maintaining their advantage through Jordan Camilleri and taking the points.

This was Sergio Afric’s boys second defeat of the league having gone down heavily to Sirens in their encounter two weeks ago.

Sliema McDonalds R Coleiro, N Bugelli, N Lubrano, P Privitera (1), M Meli (1), J Soler (1), D Paolella, J Brownrigg (2), C Debono, M Fenech, M Rizzo (2), E Meli, Z Sciberras

Neptunes Emirates I Bugeja, N Lanzon (2), E Aquilina, M Stellini (2), Z Mizzi, G Pace, J Camilleri (3), S Xerri de Caro, B Lanzon, S Gravina, T Agius (1), K Debattista, C Mercieca (1)

Referees M Dalli, M Angileri

3CX Exiles 9

Sirens Ritter Sport 7

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

In the second match of the evening, Sirens Ritter Sports faced off against 3CX Exiles in a closely fought and entertaining encounter. Exiles started well taking an early lead although the first session ended 2-2. The Sliema team shaded the second session 4-3 with Spiteri Staines, Griscti, Sullivan and Borg scoring for Exiles while Sirens replied through Jurgen Borg, Spiteri Debarro, Cutajar and Dino Zammit.

The third session was a closely fought affair with Sirens scoring the only goal through Zarb Cousin making the score 6-6, perfect parity for the final session. However Exiles managed to score three crucial goals in the final session through Sullivan, Borg and Lanzon to seal an important victory.

3CX Exiles A Borg Cole, J Rizzo Naudi, K Rizzo Naudi, T Sullivan (2), P Paris, J Spiteri Staines (2), K Griscti (1), D Pace Lupi, P Borg (2), S Vassallo , M Paris, K Lanzon (2)

Sirens Ritter Sport A Grech, A Attard (1), M Manara, V Bartolo, T Kusztos, A Sammut, J Borg (2), D Cutajar (1), A Zarb Cousin (1), C Zammit, C Spiteri Debarro (1), D Zammit (1), J Sammut

Referees P Balzan, S Licari