Neptunes turn tables to go four points clear

Neptunes Vodafone came back from a three-goal deficit midway through the second session to beat Marsascala Breakers 8-6, thus widening their lead at the top of the table to four points over the chasing four teams - Marsascala, Sliema, Sirens and San Giljan.

Yesterday's game was characterised by an unending trail of errors from both sides. The seasiders from the south, however, should be recriminated for their profligacy much more than their opponents.

They contrived to squander all their last six man-ups after converting the first two. On top of that they tossed away other open opportunities.

Neptunes, too, were wasteful at times, but at least, they netted five on nine man-ups and ended the game in better physical shape. In the end, Karl Galea's hat-trick prevailed over Paul Privitera's poker.

The numerous expulsions in this match result from the tight press both teams went for.

Led from the bench by Sergio Afric, who was back briefly to monitor his team's fortunes, Sliema Burger King had the extra bonus of including their free-scoring player John Soler whose sudden appearance for his team was kept a secret until just before their match with Sirens Go Mobile.

These added elements in the Blues' ranks gave the side a familiar solid look, with Soler, returning from Italy, providing the scoring punch and the muscle to earn expulsions in favour of his colleagues.

Sliema's superior man-up scoring rate, when it mattered most, helped them maintain a constant lead. Sirens caught up with them after going two goals down only to fall behind every time they drew level.

At last, the northerners ran out of steam and the Blues emerged clear winners. Their zone tactics had also proved a better weapon.

In the opening encounter of the day, the ASA U-17 managed to get the better of Exiles RMF in a match which they always conducted scorewise.

Undoubtedly, Anthony Farrugia's youngsters were faster in their swimming and sharper in their finishing. They were spearheaded by the bludgeoning scoring skills of John Brownrigg, who netted five of his team's eight goals.

Exiles fought hard to catch up with their opponents but, although they had quite a good four on six man-up scoring rate, they could never leave their mark on the game.

In fact, the ASA youths, for whom Andrea Bianchi also played well, always showed that extra edge and at times led by two or three goals.

ASA Youths 8
Exiles 7
(3-2, 0-1, 4-2, 1-2)

ASA Youths: R. Coleiro, S. Camilleri, G. Lubrano, M. Zammit, M. Meli (1), A. Bianchi (2), M. Brownrigg, J. Rizzo Naudi, J. Brownrigg (5), S. Gravina, M. Borg, D. Paolella, D. Saliba, S. Farrugia.

Exiles: J. Cuschieri, M. Grima, M. Zarb, D. Pace Lupi (2), T. Sullivan (1), K. Camilleri, M. Decesare, A. Bruno, M. Psaila (1), S. Balzan, S. Borg (2), J. Vella (1), M. Calleja, A. Grech, S. Anfuso.

Referees: M. Dalli, P. Balzan.

Sirens 5
Sliema 7
(2-2, 1-2, 2-2, 0-1)

Sirens: J. Caruana Dingli, C. Spiteri de Barro (1), K. Rizzo Naudi, J. Rizzo Naudi, C. Cauchi, J. Valletta, J. Borg, D. Cutajar (1), K. Montfort (1), W. Degiorgio, S. Cachia, J. Farrugia (2), N. Cassar, R. D'Amato, N. Imbroll.

Sliema: J. Cachia, G. Lubrano, E. Aquilina (1), M. Galea Pace (1), M. Meli, J. Soler (2), J. Paris (1), C. Debono (2), D. Saliba, S. Decesare, I. Muscat, D. Paolella, A. Bianchi, R. Coleiro.

Referees: P. Balzan, M. Caruana.

Marsascala 6
Neptunes 8
(3-2, 3-2, 0-2, 0-2)

Marsascala: I. Bugeja, P. Fava, A. Galea (1), P. Privitera (4), C. Gialanze, J. Xerri de Caro, C. Mercieca (1), K. Lanzon, K. Enriquez, R. Calleja, M. Zammit, D. Ciappara, R. Cutajar, A. Tanti.

Neptunes: N. Gouder, N. Lanzon (1), S. Camilleri, K. Galea (3), E. Cachia (1), J. Brownrigg, J. Licari, D. Camilleri, G. Sammut, M. Azzopardi, Dean Camilleri, M. Stellini (2), M. Pisani (1), S. Gravina.

Referees: M. Dalli, A. de Raffaele.

Next Fixtures

(Saturday) 3 p.m. Marsascala vs ASA Youths; 4 p.m. Neptunes vs San Giljan; 5 p.m. Sliema vs Exiles.