SIRENS GREENTUBE............. 17

EXILES ELIA CATERERS......... 13

(5-4), (4-2), (7-2), (1-5)

Exiles Elia Caterers were hoping for a splendid performance to have another chance of qualifying to the play-off semi-final, but Sirens Greentube proved their worth as they finished the game as winners in a game that they deserved to win.

This loss meant that the season for Exiles is over, a season that they must forget after their constant progress in recent years. During most of the games in the season, they lacked to be aggressive to stay in the game in important parts of the matches and they have to do their analysis in order to bolster their squad for next season.

Exiles were twice in front in the first session but after Christian Presciutti gave them the lead, Exiles were never ahead of their opponents. Sirens ended the session 5-4 in front as Paul Privitera and Presciutti scored the goals between them.

Marc Grech, Valentino Gallo and Presciutti from penalty gave Sirens a comfortable 8-4 lead, but Exiles kept hoping as they scored twice in the last two minutes to finish the session 9-6.

Cousin even scored in the beginning of the third session and it was game on at that moment. But Luke Caruana had other plans as from the subsequent action scored for Sirens and Edward Aquilina converted a man-up to stretch the lead to four goals. Milos Vukicevic pulled one back but Sirens scored five consecutive goals in the second part of the session to close the game.

Starting the last session 16-8 down, Exiles at least wanted to cut the gap to a more respectable score. Marko Jelaca responded immediately to Paul Privitera's goal and scored four consecutive goals in the last three and a half minutes to end the game 17-13.

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Zerafa Gregory, C. Presciutti (5), P. Privitera (4), M. Grech (2), J. Brownrigg (1), I. Riolo (1), V. Gallo (2), J. Napier, E. Aquilina (1), L. Caruana (1), M. Sciberras, O. Gauci, Z. Bartolo, G. Farrugia

Exiles: M. Castillo, M. Stellini, A. Magri, M. Jelaca (3), T. Sullivan (3), S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech, K. Griscti, M. Vukicevic (3), A. Cousin (2), N. Paris (1), P. Paris (1), S. Apap, C. von Brockdorf

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Alessandro Severo

 

SAN ĠILJAN TUM INVEST.......... 18

MARSAXLOKK BROWN'S........... 12

(6-3), (2-4), (5-1), (5-4)

Title contenders San Ġiljan TUM Invest made sure to avoid any possible surprises by Marsaxlokk Brown's Pharma as they won to set up a clash against Sliema in the semi-final. San Ġiljan showed that they have quality to fight for the league, despite not showing their best performance although they cruised in the game.

Marsaxlokk tried their best but after their goalkeeper was sent off in the beginning of the third session, San Ġiljan took advantage and assured themselves of the win. Joe Cremona's team had a brilliant season, their first one amongst the best in the island. Their foreigners Andrija Vlahovic and Ivan Nagaev played a huge part in their positive season.

San Giljan earned a 4-2 lead midway through the first season after braces by Niksa Dobud and Matthew Zammit while Ivan Nagaev put Marsaxlokk in the lead and then equalised. Nagaev even pulled a goal back until Dino Zammit and Matthew Zammit put their team 6-3 ahead.

Marsaxlokk were brave enough to react and after Dobud made it 7-3 in their first action of the second session, Marsaxlokk scored three consecutive goals in a minute and a half to enter their way back in the game. Matthew Zammit scored his fourth personal goal in the game but Andrija Vlahovic converted a man-up to keep his team one goal adrift at the end of the second session.

Darren Zammit made it 9-7 in the third session, in an action that Ryan Coleiro was sent off. San Ġiljan took the opportunity to take control of the game and assured themselves the important win, ending the session 13-8.

Marsaxlokk kept playing their game in the last session that was balanced. San Ġiljan on the other hand had no pressure to control the game as they still ended with a comfortable six-goal lead, a win that will serve as a boost in preparation of their important fixture against Sliema.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, B. Grech, A. Galea (1), N. Dobud (6), G. Molina (1), M. Zammit (6), B. Plumpton, K. Dowling, Z. Micallef, Da. Zammit (2), P. Fava (1), Di. Zammit (1), T. Micallef

Marsaxlokk: R. Coleiro, J. Rizzo Naudi (2), L. Calleja, M. Cacici, T. Agius, J. Galea, A. Vlahovic (4), I. Nagaev (6), S. Micallef, R. Scerri, M. Pace, M. Martellacci, F. Buhagiar

Referees: Mario Dalli, Massimiliano Sponza