San Giljan, Marsascala complete formalities with easy wins
Marsascala 13Marsaxlokk 4(4-1, 3-0, 3-1, 3-2)\nMarsascala expended little energy in disposing of neighbours Marsaxlokk Freeport in yesterday's last match. Pierre Borg naturally, could bank on his players' ability to thrive on speed and incisiveness on...
Marsascala 13
Marsaxlokk 4
(4-1, 3-0, 3-1, 3-2)
\nMarsascala expended little energy in disposing of neighbours Marsaxlokk Freeport in yesterday's last match.
Pierre Borg naturally, could bank on his players' ability to thrive on speed and incisiveness on the break to rip open their opponents' defensive shield.
The pattern was evident from the word go, as Marsascala procured a four-goal cushion, only to extend it to 7-1 before the teams changed ends.
The wind kept blowing their way despite the constant flow of substitutions they had. Former Neptunes players Chris Gialanze and Xerri De Caro each netted a hat-trick, while for Marsaxlokk, Chris Bonello scored twice in the last session to close the gap to nine goals.
Marsascala: I. Bugeja, P. Fava (1), A. Galea, A. Farrugia, C. Gialanze (3), J. Xerri De Caro (3), C. Mercieca (2), J. Cremona, S. Micallef, R. Cutajar, G. Borg, M. Zammit (2), D. Ciappara (2).
Marsaxlokk: R. Bonnici, L. Cachia, J. Zammit (1), D. Sullivan, C. Bonello (2), S. Cachia, A. Privitera, K. Incorvaja, A. Scicluna, D. Cassar, A. Xuereb, S. Cutajar (1), C. Jones.
Referee: M. Ancilleri, Ant. Farrugia.
Otters 2
San Giljan 13
(2-3, 0-4, 0-3, 0-3)
San Giljan Kia Motors were clear favourites to beat the Gozitan team Otters ASC and they duly obliged with a comfortable victory. The stronger-swimming Saints were naturally, fuel worth the spoils they collected.
They gave the impression they could sweep past their opponents in the opening session. They only led 3-2 after the first quarter, only to take up the driving-seat in the second, never to look behind their shoulders.
The elusiveness of Mark Lombardi and the sharp-shooting of Malcolm Fava (he netted a hat-trick), Glen Ghirxi and Gary Farrugia could never be emulated by opponents unable to maintain pace.
Goals in the middle sessions laid the groundwork for San Giljan's limpid victory. After that it was only academic.
Otters: A. Tabone, J. Cefai, G. Zammit, S. Galea Testaferrata, S. Zammit, S. Grech, P. Saliba, K. Vella, C. Zammit, D. Zammit, R. Grech, M. Tabone (2), D. Saliba.
San Giljan: K. Sciberras, C. Grima, M. Zarb (1), M. Camilleri (1), N. Kerr (1), C. Bugeja (2), M. Lombardi (1), K. Grech, G. Farrugia (2), M. Fava (3), G. Ghirxi (2), J. Spiteri, P. Dimech.
Referee: A. De Raffaele, Ant. Farrugia.
Today's programme - 5 p.m. Exiles vs Sirens; 6 p.m. Neptunes vs Valletta; 7 p.m. Ta' Xbiex vs Sliema.