Premier Division

Sliema Frank Salt         10

San Giljan Sir Alex 11

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

San Giljan Sir Alex got off their campaign to a roaring start when they defeated title contenders Sliema Frank Salt in a nail-biting encounter which was decided in the last session.

Sliema appeared to be the stronger team initially winning the first two sessions and establishing a two-goal margin at the interval but the Saints never gave up, ending worthy winners.

Sliema won the first session 4-3 with Lubrano and Kiss in evidence after Zammit had given San Giljan a 2-0 lead.

The same occurred in the second session which Sliema won 3-2 setting themselves up with a two-goal advantage at the midway point.

However San Giljan continued playing well making the most of several man up situations to win the third session 4-3 with Biros and Fava scoring at crucial moments.

The final session was a nail-biting affair with San Giljan finding the two goals they needed to win the encounter and take the three points.

Sliema Frank Salt: R Coleiro, J Gabaretta, N Lubrano (2), T Sullivan (2), M Meli, J Soler (1), G Kiss (3), E Aquilina, J Brownrigg (1), S Barac (1), D Paolella, M Spiteri Staines, D Abela

San Giljan Sir Alex:  D Camilleri, JC Cutajar (1), C Gialanze (1), K Galea, K Dowling, M Zammit (2), M Avramovic, C Spiteri Debarro (1), P Biros (3), P Fava (1), D Zammit (2)

Referees: A Sgarra, M Angileri

Exiles Ferretti 6
Neptunes Emirates 11
(1-5)(0-4)(1-0)(4-2)

Neptunes Emirates started defending their title on  a good note when they easily defeated Exiles Ferretti 11-6.
The Balluta side dominated the match and made sure of the three points in the second session. Exiles disappointed and were never in the match. Neptunes had Michele Stellini missing.
Ironically, Exiles took the lead with a goal from James Spiteri Staines. But Neptunes started their run of goals and till the end of the first quarter they were 5-1 with goals from J. Camilleri (2),  Molnar (2) and N. Lanzon. Neptunes continued to score in the second session and scored four with no reply to go 9-1 in-front.
In the third session, coach Sergey Markoch decided to  give more space to the youngsters. Exiles won the session with a goal from David Pace Lupi.
The last session was only a formality with Neptunes winning the match 11-6. 
Exiles: I. Bugeja, J. Rizzo Naudi, S. Vassallo, D. Pace Lupi (1), R. Blary, N. Portelli (1), J. Spiteri Staines (1), V. Cupic (2), K. Griscti, P. Borg, S. Galea Pace, D. Borg, K. Lanzon (1)
Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon (3), A. Sammut, K. Debattista, T. Agius (1), A. Ciric (1), S. Camilleri (1), J. Camilleri (3), G. Pace, S. Gravina, B. Lanzon, T. Molnar (2), C. Mercieca
Referees: Mario Dalli, Alessandro Sgarr
 

First Division

Marsascala More         14

Ta’ Xbiex Amigos          18

Ta’ Xbiex Amigos showed that they should be a force to be reckoned with this season in the First Division where they defeated Marsascala More in a tight encounter although they won three out of the four sessions.

The first one went 3-5 in favour of Ta’ Xbiex with Kayes and Szeles showing their mettle for both teams. The second session was a high scoring affair with both teams scoring regularly largely through the Galea players and Kayes.

The third session saw Marsascala win 2-1 to reduce the deficit to just two for the final session which was another high scoring affair. Peter Markoch was in evidence for a final score of 18-14 in Ta’ Xbiex’s favour.

Marsascala More: K Schembri, K Rizzo Naudi, M Pace, B Muscat, J Kayes (7), L Grixti, J Licari (2), J Cremona, J Ross (1), A Sammut, D Cassar, C Mifsud, L Caruana

Ta’ Xbiex Amigos: L Borg, J Navarro, A Galea (2), A Galea (2), S Cini (2), L Pace, K Galea (1), M Paris (1), P Paris, P Markoch (3), R Attard (1), O Zammit (2), Y Szeles (4)

Referees: P Balzan, P Giordano

Neptunes start their title defence with a win

Marsaxlokk                      12
Valletta United 16
(1-5)(5-3)(1-4)(5-4)

Valletta United started their league campaign on a positive note as they managed to beat Marsaxlokk 16-12 to continue their momentum after their win against Marsascala the previous week. On the other hand, it was a good effort by Marsaxlokk as they kept themselves in the match after thet were down to four and five goals in the match. Foreigners Milos Korolija and Djordje Filipovic took the limelight for the citizens as scored 10 goals between them.   
Valletta started well and after Marsaxlokk scored the opening goal, the citizens scored five gowls from Scerri Filipovic (2), Mock and Korolija to win the first session. Marsaxlokk kept themselves in the match and won the second session to reduce the margin to two goals.
Valletta regained their comfortable lead in the third session and went five goals in-front. Although the result looked beyond doubt, Marsaxlokk still tried to stay in the match and managed to win the last seassion to make the score more respectable, but Valletta still won with a four goal margin 16-12.
Marsaxlokk: A. Xuereb, A.Bajada, M. Agius (1), E. Meli (1), K. Grech, K. Mock (3), A. Galea, C. Bugeja (1), R. Kovacs (3), P. Kovacs (3), M. Grima, D. Spiteri, G. Zammit
Valletta: R. Sciortino, S. Meli, R. Calleja, M. Korolija (5), M. Cordina (1), S. Cachia, R. Mock (3), N. Bonello Ghio, C. Debono, R. Scerri (2), A. Arrigo, D. Filipovic (5), Z. Sciberras
Referees: Massimo Angileri, Stefan Licari