In-form Sirens take Saints’ scalp
San Giljan Allcare 11 Sirens Ritter Sport 12
(3-3, 3-4, 1-1, 4-4)
San Giljan had to bow to in-from Sirens, who followed up their strong performances aginst Sliema and Neptunes. The Saints only led in the opening session, but then had to chase for the remainder of the match. Two Kai Dowling strikes took San Giljan to level terms. Late in the game, but a risky ploy in the final seconds failed for the Saints, when they were on defence, when Dino Zammit swam forward. This left Andrea Sammut all alone, and he gladly swept the ball in the net, to give Sirens all three points. San Giljan had Karl Galea back in the side, and Sirens were under Bogdan Rath once more, after his suspension. Man of the match was Sirens’ Christian Presciutti, with a double hat trick, and Alex Radovic netted four times for the Saints.
San Giljan: D. Camilleri, C. Spiteri de Barro , A. Galea , K. Galea 1, K. Dowling ,
M. Zammit 3, A. Radovic 4, A. Bianchi , K. Galea , Z. Kovacic 1,
P. Fava , D. Zammit , J. Sammut
Sirens: N. Grixti, Z. Mizzi , C. Presciutti 6, G. Pace , M. Grech 1, C. Kiss 2,
M. Caruana , D. Cutajar , J. Napier , E. Aquilina 1, L. Caruana ,
A. Sammut 2, M. Pisani
Referees: M. Dalli, G. Fusco
Two late goals subdue Citizens
Sliema Frank Salt 11 Valletta McDonalds 9
(2-3, 4-2, 1-2, 4-2)
Sliema had to fight hard for theri victory, with Valletta not only staying close, but nthey were in front after the opening period, then drew level after the break, and even went ahead in the last quarter. Sliema made the issue safe with two late goals, as the Citizens strove to take something from the game. This was Sliema‘s third victory over Valletta this season, but it was the hardest one for them, as the Citizens managed to creep back every time they went into a double deficit. Sliema’s Jerome Gabarretta had a happy time, as he put in a total of five goals, with Antonio Petkovic, currently the best scorer of the season, getting a hat trick.
Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta 5, N. Lubrano 1, T. Sullivan , M. Meli , J. Soler ,
J. Borg , C. Cluett , J. Brownrigg , A. Attard 1, I. Basara 1, A. Petkovic 3,
K. Schembri
Valletta: R. Sciortino, R. Mock , M. Spiteri Staines , M. Korolija 2, D. Abela ,
S. Cachia , D. Paolella 1, C. Zammit 2, C. Debono , R. Scerri , M. Cordina 1,
D. Filipovic 1, M. Rizzo 2
Referees: P. Balzan, B. D’Alessio
Champions now five points clear
Exiles Ferretti 7 Neptunes Grimaldi 14
(1-3, 2-2, 2-5, 2-4)
With San Giljan faltering against Sirens, neptunes had a confortable win over Exiles, to go five points clear at the top of the standings. The match was still interesting till the interval, as Exiles kept in touch, not allowing the champions to forge further in front, but the game was a different one altogether after the break, as Neptunes poured in four goals in a row, late in the third session, to leave their opponents behind. Exiles made a bried revival in the last session, but the champions finished the match with another three goal burst. They had Tamas Molnar on a two week suspension, but his absence was not felt so much. His place was taken by the young Matteo Cacici. Steve Camilleri scored a poker of goals in Neptunes’ victory.
Exiles: I. Bugeja, J. Rizzo Naudi 1, S. Vassallo 1, D. Zammit Lupi 1, G. Katonas 2,
S. Galea Pace , J. Spiteri Staines , K. Grixti , L. Sekulic 2, P. Borg ,
B. Lanzon , N. Portelli , K. Lanzon
Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 1, G. Mizzi , M. Stellini 2, T. Agius 2,
M. Lanzon , S. Camilleri 4, J. Camilleri 1, A. Zarb Cousin , P. Biros 2,
B. Dougall , M. Cacici , C. Mercieca 2
Referees: R. Spiteri, G. Fusco
Premier League Standings
Neptunes Grimaldi 8 6 2 0 103 76 20
San Giljan Allcare 8 5 0 3 98 72 15
Sliema Frank Salt 8 4 3 1 89 83 15
Sirens Ritter Sport 8 3 1 4 85 94 10
Valletta McDonalds 8 1 1 6 76 99 4
Exiles Ferretti 8 0 3 5 64 103 3