SIRENS GREENTUBE 9
NEPTUNES LEO VEGAS 13
(1-4), (1-4), (4-3), (4-2)
Neptunes Leo Vegas recovered from the setback against Sliema by winning against Sirens Greentube in a match that they were surely the better team. Jovan Popovic's had the cutting edge to score and kill the game, and now they are joint second with Sliema.
On the other hand, Sirens are still without a point after three games, losing to Sliema, Exiles and Neptunes. They are a shadow of last year's team and coach Marco Baldinetti has to turn things quickly in order to avoid a disappointing season. Canadian Nicolas Bicari made his debut scoring three goals.
Neptunes already took a comfortable four-goal lead in the first session. Clint Mercieca reduced the gap at the last part of the first session, but Neptunes again hit the ground running scoring three consecutive goals for a comfortable six-goal lead. Captain Niki Lanzon responded to the goal by Jacob Scibberras to assure that Neptunes stay in the driving seat for the win.
Sirens increased their level of play in the third session, but despite scoring three goals, they still couldn't enter back in the game, as Neptunes to all the three goals instantly to start the last session with a comfortable 11-5 lead.
Sirens could only try to make the score more respectable something which they did, cutting the deficit to four goals, as Neptunes coach Popovic rotated more his players.
Sirens: N. Grixti, P. Privitera, E. Aquilina, N. Bicari (3), M. Grech, I. Riolo (1), C. Mercieca (1), J. Sciberras (3), J. Napier, G. Sammut, J. Ciantar, J. Brownrigg (1), O. Gauci
Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon (2), K. Erdogan, G. Pace (1), M. Martellacci, N. Zammit, P. Muslim (4), J. Camilleri (1), J. Abela (2), M. Zammit (2), J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi (1), J. Parnis
Referees: Peter Balzan, Vittorio Frauenfelder
Exiles Jetfreight's Sean Xerri De Caro (R) sees his shot hit the post against Valletta Videoslots. Photos © Domenic Aquilina
VALLETTA VIDEOSLOTS 6
EXILES JETFREIGHT 9
(1-1), (1-1), (2-4), (2-3)
Exiles Jetfreight claimed the second win of their campaign after defeating Valletta Videoslots with a three-goal margin, to keep their flying start to the season. Exiles turned the game in their favour in the third session, and from then onwards kept the advantage to win the game.
The first two sessions ended 1-1. Valletta scored first in every session through Marc Lanzon and veteran Charlie Zammit but Exiles equalised in both occasions from Kurt Griscti and left-hander Michele Stellini.
Marko Cuk's had the upper hand after the break and dictated the game after they scored twice from the left side. Valletta came one-goal adrift to stay in the game, but in both occasions Exiles reacted from Mark Fenech and Slobodan Nikic to have a two-goal lead before the start of the last session.
This advantage proved to be vital for Exiles as they also made it 7-4 from Cousin. Valletta looked to stay in the game as after Slobodan Nikic cancelled Ryan Mock's goal, Daniel Paolella reacted instantly to get back his team two goals behind Exiles.
But when Timmy Sullivan made it 9-6, the game was decided As Exiles controlled the last part of the game for an important win.
Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines, A. Agius, N. Farrugia, T. Agius, R. Mock (1), D. Paolella (2), M. Toth (1), A. Mifsud, C. Zammit (1), K. Galea, N. Bonello Ghio, M. Lanzon (1)
Exiles: M. Castillo, M. Fenech (1), A. Bianchi, M. Stellini (1), T. Sullivan (1), S. Xerri de Caro (1), S. Nikic (2), K. Griscti (2), N. Paris, A. Cousin (1), B. Lanzon, P. Paris, G. Ciappara
Referees: Ronnie Spiteri, Giuseppe Fusco
FIRST DIVISION
MARSASKALA TRANSCRIPTA 14
OTTERS NIVEA 7
(3-0), (6-2), (2-2), (3-3)
Marsaskala: J. Micallef, J.C. Cutajar (1), E. Carabott, D. Borg Millo (1), A. Vlahovic (6), L. Grixti, K. Navarro (1), J. Busuttil, J. Bajada, C. Mifsud (4), D. Cassar (1), R. Attard, J. Cremona
Otters: K. Schembri, A. Magri, A. Camenzuli, L. Felice, K. Scicluna (1), C. Bugeja, G. Mizzi, S. Dimech, M. Gor-Nagy (3), E. Gravina, M. Sciberras (2), D. Zahra (1), M. Xerri
Referees: Neville Mercieca, Giuseppe Fusco