Neptunes, Marsascala, Ta' Xbiex coast home

Neptunes 16
Marsaxlokk 2
(1-0, 6-0, 6-1, 3-1)

After a simmering first session, Neptunes Vodafone's artillery blasted off second division champions Marsaxlokk Freeport to crack in six goals, after which the Balluta team cantered to victory as confidently as one would have expected.

Tony Camilleri kept up an endless trail of substitutions which maintained the flow of oxygen in his players' lungs. There was nothing the southseasiders could do and, not surprisingly they went to tatters, particularly against their opponents' fast breaks.

Neptunes continued fanning out incisively to inflict further damage on the team coached by Ronnie Spiteri, with Matthew Pisani hitting a poker and Niki Lanzon, Charlie Zammit and Michele Stellini each scoring a hat-trick.

Neptunes: Ad. Cachia, N. Lanzon (3), S. Gravina, K. Galea, E. Cachia (1), D. Camilleri, J. Licari (1), C. Zammit (3), N. Gouder, M. Azzopardi, I. Azzopardi (1), M. Stellini (3), M. Pisani (4).

Marsaxlokk: R. Bonnici, L. Cachia, J. Zammit, D. Sullivan (1), C. Bonello, S. Cachia, A. Privitera, K. Incorvaja, A. Scicluna, D. Cassar (1), A. Xuereb, M. Zammit, C. Jones.

Referees: Ant. Fenech, A. De Raffaele.

Marsascala 10
San Giljan 2
(3-1, 1-1, 3-0, 3-0)

Marsascala, always the faster and sharper team, pulled away to register a comfortable 10-2 victory over San Giljan Kia Motors, who, despite some initial fight, could only hope to avoid a heavier defeat as the game unfolded.

In fact, some safe goalkeeping from their extreme defender Kevin Sciberras, denied Pierre Borg's team a bigger victory.

It was relatively close in the opening quarters, despite Clint Mercieca's scoring instincts - he netted four goals. But soon after ends were changed, there was little doubt as to where the points would go.

Marsascala: I. Bugeja, P. Fava (2), R. Cutajar, A. Farrugia, C. Gialanze, J. Xerri De Caro (1), C. Mercieca (4), J. Cremona (1), S. Micallef, T. Galea (2), G. Borg, M. Zammit.

San Giljan: K. Sciberras, C. Grima, K. Grech, M. Camilleri, N. Kerr, C. Bugeja, M. Lombardi (1), M. Zarb, G. Farrugia, M. Fava, G. Ghirxi (1), P. Dimech, D. Debono.

Referees: P. Balzan, M. Ancilleri.

Valletta 0
Ta' Xbiex 19
(0-4, 0-4, 0-5, 0-6)

An out of depth Valletta were easy prey for Ta' Xbiex Mermaids Paradise in yesterday's last match of the programme.

The team piloted by Joe Sciortino were a static lot, allowing their opponents the freedom of the pool.

To complicate matters for the City team, Charles Mock's constant substitutions drained them of their energies even at an early stage in the game.

Good teamwork and constant swimming from Ta' Xbiex, for whom six-goal Santino Micallef had a field day, could only result in well-taken goals.

Valletta: E. Arrigo, D. Tyler, M. Camilleri, B. Fenech, D. Degiorgio, P. Gatt, N. Micallef, S. Iles, J.C. Farrugia, D. Shaw, W. Galea, M. Micallef, G. Zammit.

Ta' Xbiex: A. Tanti, G. Attard, Konrad Sciortino, G. Stellini (2), S. Zammit, Kurt Sciortino (1), M. Psaila (2), D. Schembri (2), T. Boyd (3), E. Barbara, A. Arrigo (2), F. Testa (1), S. Micallef (6).

Referees: I. Sciriha, A. De Raffaele.