Sliema Frank Salt     8      Neptunes Grimaldi     9

(2-3, 2-3, 1-2, 3-1)

Neptunes are now San Giljan's main challengers, as they jump over the same Sliema in second position in the standings. Neptunes had the better ideas throughout the match, but they nearly came a cropper in the late stages, as Sliema staged a recovery, from four goals behind, but they just failed in their undertaking.

Sliema were twice in front in the opening session, but from then on they were always trailing their opponents. The champions had already overturned the score by the first period, and they increased their advantage in the next two sessions.  When they went four ahead, early on in the last quarter it looked all over, but Sliema made one last effort, and they dragged themselves back, to just a goal in arrears, which was not enough to take something from this encounter.

Sliema will surely look back in dismay at their woeful record in their man up situatuions. They only managed a single goal from a total of nine man ups in their favour. Neptunes were slightly better, with three conversions from eight attempts.

Both Michele Stellini and Peter Biros scored hat tricks for the champions. Nikola dedovic also netted three goals for Sliema, who had Timmy Sullivan back in their squad, but Alex Attard was missing.

Sliema:R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta2 , K. Dowling , T. Sullivan, M. Meli , J. Soler 1, M. Spiteri Staines , C. Cluett, J. Brownrigg 2 , M. Bodegas , N. Bugelli , N. Dedovic 3, Z Sciberras,

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon , N. Farrugia , M. Stellini 3, T. Agius , I. Krapic , S. Camilleri 2, J. Camilleri 1, M. Castillo, P. Biros 3, B. Lanzon , S. Xerri de Caro , C. Mercieca

Referees: P. Balzan, P. Bensaia

 

Citizens in second league victory

Valletta McDonalds     12     Exiles Ferretti     10

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

Valletta recovered from a two match losing streak, to obtain their second league victory, and go a point behing Sliema in the league table. The only time they were behind was early on in the game, but then they went ahead, and stayed there for the remainder of the encounter.  They took their chances well, in their man ups, and scored on seven occasions from ten. On the other hand Exiles just couldn't convert one single occasion in their six man ups., as they still remain pointless, after four matches.

Michael cordina had a very positive match, and was the game's top scorer, for Valletta, with his nap hand of goals, and Djorde Filipovic netted a hat trick. Exiles had marco Cuk with a poker of goals , including a penalty throw.

Julian Rizzo Naudi was sent off in the third session, for Exiles, after protests, and soon after a dubious incident saw Valletta's goalie, Ryan Sciortino, starting play, after a foul in his side's favour. The ball slipped from his grasp, and fell behind him in goal, but he quickly recovered, to throw the ball forward, with both officials failing to note that the ball had gone into goal.

Valletta still await coach, Anthony Farrugia, back from Baku, with Stephen Rizzo again taking his place, for the second time.

Valletta: R. Sciortino, O. Zammit, M. Rizzo , K. Galea 1, A. Agius, R. Mock , G. Kiss , N. Bonello Ghio, M. Cordina 5, C. Zammit 2, D. Paolella 1, D. Filipovic 3, D. Camilleri

Exiles: I. Bugeja, J. Rizzo Naudi 1, S. Vassallo , D. Pace Lupi, R. Blary 2, J. Spiteri Staines , S. Gravina 2, K. Grixti , D. Abela, A. Bianchi 1, M. Cuk 4   L. Felice, K. Lanzon

Referees: R. Spiteri, G. Sorgente

 

Standings

San Giljan Crystal Finance    12

Neptunes Grimaldi                   9

Sliema Frank Salt                     7

Valletta McDonalds                 6

Sirens Ritter Sport                    1

Exiles Ferretti                           0

 

 

BOV 1 Div. League

Ta Xbiex extend their lead at the top

M'Xlokk Fischer     12     Ta Xbiex Amigos     13

(5-2, 2-3, 3-4, 2-4)

A high scoring encounter saw ta Xbiex come from behindtwice, to snatch victory, and consolidate their top position, with their fourth straight victory. It was also the second time that they have beaten M'Xlokk. This time it was late flourish, as they scored the last three goals of the match, to overturn the score.

M'Xlokk had a great start, and were three goals to the good, but Ta Xbiex reduced their deficit in the next two sessions. M'Xlokk were again on a double lead, late in teh match, but came back once more, and three strikes in a row gave them the spoils.

M'Xlokk scored in their first two man ups, but failed their next two. Ta Xbiex netted three goals, from seven man ups. Adam Maklari was once more the man of the match for Ta Xbiex, as he grabbed  five goals for his side.  Ivan Vuksanovic scored a hat trick for M'Xlokk.

M'xlokk: N. Xuereb, C. Spiteri de Barro2 , M. Korolija 1, A. Galea 1, C. Gialanze 1, C. Bugeja , N. Portelli 2, I. Vuksanovic 3, A. Zarb Cousin 1, R. Scerri 1, M. Lanzon, J. Xerri de Caro , J. Cremona

Ta Xbiex: J. Micallef, A. Maklari 5, A. Camenzuli 2, G. Attard , M. Kallay 1,M. Camilleri , E. Gravina , G. Debono1 ,P. Micallef ,  L. Pace ,A. Mifsud 2, M. Mifsud , K. Grima Scott 1

Referees: S. Licari, G. Sorgente

 

Standings

Ta Xbiex Amigos                 12

M'Xlokk Fischer                     6

M'Scala Nutrition Empire      6

Otters Nivea                           0