Sirens take over after first session against gritty San Giljan

Sirens 10
San Giljan 4
(1-1, 3-0, 4-2, 2-1)

Intelligent play by San Giljan in the opening session had the contest hanging on an even keel. Fancied Sirens may have flirted with a slice of casualness until then.

However, three goals in their favour during the second quarter quashed any doubts one might have entertained about their ability to steer clear of fighting opponents who had their coach Warren Debono red-carded at the half-way mark, for showing dissent.

David Cutajar's knack of hitting first-time on a crosspass turned beneficial for the St Paul's Bay team. His hat-trick was well deserved.

San Giljan never gave up and on 8-3 towards the end of the third quarter, they missed a penalty. At least, they kept playing positive waterpolo.

But, Sirens' staying power, even if dented by some wastefulness, prevailed. For San Giljan, the scoreline was quite respectable.

Sirens: J. Caruana Dingli, C. De Barro, K. Rizzo Naudi, P. Privitera (1), C. Cauchi, J. Valletta (1), J.L. Borg (1), D. Cutajar (3), K. Montfort (1), W. Degiorgio (2), A. Grech, J. Farrugia, N. Cassar (1).

San Giljan: K. Sciberras, C. Grima, M. Zarb, M. Camilleri, N. Kerr, C. Bugeja (2), M. Lombardi, G. Farrugia, M. Fava (2), G. Ghirxi, D. Debono, P. Dimech.

Refs: M. Dalli, P. Balzan.

Sliema 20
Valletta 1
(6-0, 4-0, 5-1, 5-0)

Champions Sliema Burger King never released the accelerator to complete a cruising victory over naive opponents who could not even be regarded as sparring partners.

The Blues picked their spot at even intervals to reach the 20-goal mark. Their chief scorer this time was Clint Debono with five goals, a tally which relegated the team's principal marksman so far, John Soler, to second place on four goals.

A notable absentee from the Blues' squad was goalkeeper Josie Cachia whose place was filled by Keith Schembri.

After scoring twice last week against Neptunes, Valletta again had the platonic satisfaction of hitting their opponents' net. This time the goal came in the third session through Mark Farrugia.

Otherwise, the so-called contest turned out to be a non-event.

Sliema: K. Schembri, M. Calleja, D. Saliba (1), M.G. Pace (2), P. Cachia (2), J. Soler (4), J. Paris, K. Engerer (3), C. Debono (5), F. Cutajar, R. Coleiro, S. Decesare (1), I. Muscat (2).

Valletta: E. Arrigo, D. Tyler, M. Camilleri, S. Iles, D. Degiorgio, P. Gatt, N. Micallef, M. Camilleri, J. Farrugia, R. Depasquale, J. Cassar, M. Farrugia (1).

Refs: M. Dalli, P. Balzan.

Today: 5 p.m. Marsascala vs Ta' Xbiex; 6 p.m. Neptunes vs Exiles; 7 p.m. Marsaxlokk vs Otters.