Neptunes and San Giljan moved closer to the final of the waterpolo league as they earned victories in the first leg of the semi-final, beating Sliema and Sirens respectively. Another win in the best of three series will put them through.

For the third time this season, Sliema were on the losing end against their rivals Neptunes. The reds had the better start and built a 4-2 lead by the change of ends.

In the third session, Sliema scored four goals in succession to take a 6-4 advantage, but Neptunes stepped up a gear to turn the tables in their favour once again.

In the other semi-final, as expected San Giljan had little opposition against Sirens, with the saints pulling away early to score an easy win.

Sliema Frank Salt 8

Neptunes 10

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

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

Mizzi, N. Bugelli (2), Z. Sciberras

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, J. Muscat (1), L. Calleja, G. Pace (1), S. Busuttil, J. Spiteri Staines, S. Camilleri (4), J. Camilleri (2), J. Abela (1), N. Zammit (1), S. Stellini, S. Gialanze, B. Busuttil

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Ronnie Spiteri

San Giljan Tum Invest 15

Sirens Mecca Marin 5

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

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti (1), K. Tanti, A. Galea, D. Ciantar, M. Mannino (1), M. Zammit (4), B. Plumpton (4), J. Bonavia (1), Z. Micallef (1), Da. Zammit, P. Fava (1), Di. Zammit (2), G. Vassallo, M. Ortoleva

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

Referees: Peter Balzan, Stefan Licari

Sliema to face Neptunes in KO

The draws for the KO competition were made yesterday.

In the quarter finals Sliema face Neptunes with the winner facing Exiles in the semi final.

The other quarter is between Sirens and Birzebbuga with the winner facing San Giljan in the semis.