NEPTUNES LEO VEGAS.............. 19

MARSAXLOKK BROWN'S........... 13

(8-0), (3-7), (4-1), (4-5)

Champions Neptunes Leo Vegas made sure to avoid any surprises as they easily defeated Marsaxlokk Brown's Pharma 19-13 to confirm their positive momentum heading into an important game against leaders Sirens.

Marsaxlokk suffered from a slow start that proved to be vital against a team like Neptunes. They lost the first session 8-0 as Neptunes started the game determined and precise in their passing in the attacking phase.

At this point, the game was already won and lost. Despite that it was too late, Marsaxlokk reacted and reduced the deficit to four goals. Russian left-hander Ivan Nagaev scored a hat-trick as Neptunes reduced their level.

After the break, Neptunes regained the control of the game as they were more direct in their play. Jovan Popovic's team scored four successive goals from Stevie and Jordan Camilleri and also their foreigners Petar Muslim and Darko Brguljan. Marsaxlokk on the other hand, scored their only goal in this session from a penalty by Ivan Nagaev.

Finishing the third session 15-8 ahead, the last session was just a formality as Popovic rotated more his squad, typical of him when his team has a big advantage. Marsaxlokk managed to reduce the deficit as their foreigners continue to lead the team.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim (2), D. Brguljan (4), S. Camilleri (5), J. Camilleri (1), J. Abela (4), N. Zammit (1), J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi (2), B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia

Marsaxlokk: R. Coleiro, J. Rizzo Naudi, L. Calleja, M. Cacici, T. Agius (1), J. Galea (1), A. Vlahovic (3), I. Nagaev (6), S. Micallef (1), R. Scerri (1), M. Pace, L. Saliba, F. Buhagiar, M. Martellacci, K. Galea

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Raffaele Colombo

 

BIRŻEBBUĠA FREEPORT.......... 18

TA' XBIEX AMIGOS.................. 14

(6-2), (4-3), (6-5), (2-4)

A quick and fantastic response after Nenad Kacar's opener, was crucial in Birżebbuġa Freeport's win against Ta' Xbiex Amigos. This win permitted Birżebbuġa to stay alone on top at least for a few hours, as they await Valletta's game today.

Kacar had opened the score for Ta' Xbiex from penalty but Birżebbuġa responded with six consecutive goals in the second part of the session, while Ta' Xbiex reduced the margin in the latter stages of the session.

Ta' Xbiex made a bold statement in their quest to stay in the game as they cut the deficit by half after being 8-2 down. Nenad Kacar, youngster Nico Schiavone and Niccolo Gitto scored the goals for Ta' Xbiex until David Cutajar and David Pace Lupi regained a comfortable lead for Birżebbuġa with two goals in two minutes.

Despite starting the third session 10-5, Ta' Xbiex tried to stay in the game as they scored after a goal by Birżebbuġa in three consecutive times. They even reduced the gap to four goals, but Birżebbuġa scored three consecutive times to open up a 16-9 advantage. Keith Tanti reduced the deficit in the end.

In the last session, Birżebbuġa had a cushion to rely on and lowered their rhythm as Ta' Xbiex at least won the session to reduce the margin.

Birżebbuġa: D. Spiteri, M. Borg, N. Cassar (1), D. Pace Lupi (2), C. Mifsud, A. Petkovic (4), S. Vassallo (1), D. Cutajar (3), J. Bajada (2), M. Cutajar, A. Goreta (2), M. Ortoleva (3), J. Cremona

Ta' Xbiex: Z. Sciberras, R. Greco, M. Demarco, N. Schiavone (1), M. Carani, S. Azzopardi, D. Fenech, N. Saliba, N. Kacar (6), G. Sammut (2), K. Tanti (2), N. Gitto (3), A. Theuma

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri, Fabio Ricciotti