Sliema Frank Salt         11

Neptunes Emirates        14    

(5-6, 2-3, 1-3, 3-2)

WILLIAM VASSALLO

Sliema gave a better account of themselves in this game but they still finished up on the losing end as Neptunes extended their unbeaten run for this summer.

The champions have now consolidated their top placing with their third straight victory over Sliema and it will take a superhuman effort from any other team to deny Neptunes a victory in their remaining matches.

As it always is between these two main rivals, it was a tense affair with three players being ousted out of the pool all with substitutions.

Neptunes had their noses ahead in the first three sessions and although Sliema reduced the Arrears fractionally after the interval, Neptunes had that extra push to propel them towards yet another win.

Gergely Kiss put Sliema in front for their only time in the match with the champions taking a lead through Michele Stellini, Sean Gravina and Tamas Molnar strikes.

Sliema came back with Gergely once more but Clint Mercieca restored Neptunes’ double advantage. John Soler and a Damir Buric penalty throw had both teams level but it was Niki Lanzon with a brace of goals to give the champions a first session advantage although Timmy Sullivan scored for Sliema again in between.

In the next period Soler twice had both sides on level terms once more with Molnar netting for Neptunes in between. Neptunes forged ahead again and till the interval they had obtained another double advantage with Lanzon and Steve Camilleri strikes.

After the break, Alex Stellini was ejected but Neptunes carved out a better lead with more goals from Alex Ciric and two more by Molnar.

It didn’t bode well for Sliema who had Soler netting for them but they were still 8-12 behind when the last quarter began.

Kiss took Sliema nearer but Steve Camilleri was on hand to increase the champions’ tally. Buric and Edward Aquilina gave Sliema a ray of hope but they couldn’t make more headway and when Timmy Agius lobbed in for Neptunes, it was all over and hasty Sliema shooting didn’t alter the score as the champions played out the remaining time.

Molnar obtained a poker of goals and Lanzon scored a hat trick for Neptunes. Sliema had Soler with four goals once more and Kiss added on another three.

Neptunes had a total of 15 man ups in their favour scoring in seven of them whilst Sliema’s eight expulsions had them finding the opponents’ net five times.

Sliema: R. Coleiro, D. Buric 2, N. Lubrano, T. Sullivan 1, M. Meli, J. Soler 4, G. Kiss 3, E. Aquilina 1, J. Brownrigg, J. Gabarretta, D. Paolella, M. Spiteri Staines 1, D. Abela

Neptunes:  A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 3, A. Sammut, M. Stellini 1, T. Agius 1, A. Ciric 1, S. Camilleri 2, J. Camilleri, G. Pace, S. Gravina 1, B. Lanzon, T. Molnar 4, C. Mercieca 1

Referees: M. Angileri, R Colombo

Standings

         Neptunes Emirates           5     5     0     0     75     39   15

         San Giljan Sir Alex           5     4     0     1     62     62   12

         Sliema Frank Salt             6     2     0     4     60     69     6

         Sirens Ritter Sport            4     1     0     3     34     46     3

         Exiles Ferretti                   4     0     0     4     35     50     0