Otters Nivea 10

Valletta Sterling 20

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

Valletta repeated the same score as in the opening defeat by Otters, to force the third and deciding rubber, to be played next Wednesday.

It was a tumultuous match, which threatened to overflow after the interval, but uneasy calm was restored, for the game to be played to the full.

Valletta had Simon Cachia missing, and they quickly went a couple of goals behind, but they clawed their way back till the end of the session, and a last second Timmy Agius strike had them on level terms.

In the second period the Citizens opened a double lead of their own, but at the interval Otters had reduced the deficit, to a 4-5 score.

After the break Valletta’s next double advantage was wiped out with a brace of Otters goals, and a Mate Balatoni penalty throw had the Gozitans in front.

Then trouble reared its head, as Valletta’s Sean Meli was sent off, without substitution, and Otters were awarded a penalty.

Valletta’s coach, Anthony Farrugia, was expelled for heated protests, and had to be calmed down, before escorted away from the deck.

Otters did not make enough profit from their numerical superiority, and two Robert Kovacs goals for the Citizens had them on an even 8-8 score, when the last session began.

Otters took their last advantage in the match, but Valletta rallied back strongly, with a four goal burst, the last three of which bore the imprint of David Zoltan.

That was that, with Otters only able to net a late goal, which didn’t help their cause, leaving the Citizens to gain another day.

Valletta and Otters will now have to play a third match, which will be the decisive one to determine who advances to the final.

Otters: A. Cachia, G. Attard 1, G. Zammit , D. Angyal 1, S. Dimech , M. Balatoni 2, J. Paris 3, D. Schembri 2, E. Farrugia , K. Debattista , C. Martin, K. Scicluna, K. Grima Scott 1

Valletta: A. Sammut, S. Meli 1, R. Calleja , An. Galea , T. Agius 1, M. Cordina, Al. Galea , JC Farrugia , R. Kovacs 2, D, Zoltan 4, A. Arrigo , E. Arrigo, K. Hyzler 1

Referees: M. Dalli, R. Spiteri