Sirens and Sliema won the first legs of the Premier League playoffs yesterday to inch closer to a place in the semi finals.

The most awaited match was that between Exiles and Sirens with both teams always producing keenly contested encounters. And yesterday was no surprise with Sirens finally winning 6-4 to start favourites to make it to the semi finals.

Aurelien Cousin of Exiles with three goals and Ivan Riolo with two goals were the best scorers of the match in a low scoring but very interesting encounter.

In the other match Sliema were considered favourites against Birzebbuga but the Blues went well beyond expectations registering a massive win that practically puts them in the semi final.

Sliema scored at will with Birzebbuga’s first goal coming only in the third session.

Meli, Spiteri Staines and Brownrigg helped themselves to four goals each as Sliema scored freely.

The second legs of these playoffs will be played tomorrow Saturday.

Sliema Frank Salt 21

Birzebbuga Freeport 3

(5-0), (4-0), (7-2), (5-1)

Sliema: N. Grixti, J. Gabarretta (2), L. Galea (1), J. Sciberras (1), M. Meli (4), B. Cachia (1), M. Spiteri Staines (4), J. Soler, J. Brownrigg (4), Z. Mizzi (2), N. Bugelli (2), Z. Sciberras

Birżebbuġa: M. Rossi, J. Farrugia, N. Cassar, D. Pace Lupi, C. Mifsud, P. Serracino, S. Vassallo (1), D. Cutajar (2), M. Bonnici, M. Borg, R. Spiteri, S. Fava, M. Sladden, B. Grech, Z. Bartolo

Referees: Peter Balzan, Stefan Licari

Exiles Ferretti 4

Sirens Mecca Marin 6

(2-1), (0-2), (1-2), (1-1)

Exiles: M. Castillo, J. Bajada, A. Magri, P. Paris, T. Sullivan, S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech (1), K. Griscti, N. Paris, A. Cousin (3), S. Apap, D. Fenech, G. Borg

Sirens: J. Parnis, J. Ciantar, K. Erdogan (1), G. Melillo, L. Galea, T. Said, L. Falzon, I. Riolo (2), J. Napier (1), M. Cutajar (1), M. Sciberras, M. Azzopardi, G. Galea Curmi, G. Farrugia (1), G. Sammut

Referees: Mario Dalli, Ronnie Spiteri