Blues land 28th league title

Marsascala 3
Sliema 9
(0-1, 2-2, 0-3, 1-3)

The blueprint of Sliema Burger King is fashioned in their sponsors' name - they are the kings of waterpolo. The Blues have done it again when outstripping all opponents to clinch their 28th league title, a feat way beyond what other teams have mustered.

They set the seal on yet another memorable season when yesterday they dismissed Marsascala Breakers to make it three successive championship triumphs, the third 'treble' in the club's chequered annals.

Sliema's resilience in the last decade is borne by statistics - six league titles since 1996 and four KO victories - a bewildering achievement in a span of eight years. Their next target is to emulate Neptunes' poker of consecutive championships achieved between 1986 and 1989.

Their players' determination to win top honours is unshakable. In the past two years the Blues had to chase the leaders to finally pip them at the post. Last year's 'operation overhaul' was emulated this summer, even if not in such a spectacular manner.

Sergio Afric's four consecutive titles - the first with Sirens in 2000 - broke new ground in the local game. He was able to obtain the maximum from a squad that was as versatile as it was extensive.

A sound rearguard that blocked well, was an adequate starting pad. Once the team was in possession of the ball, the scoring weaponry, mostly manned by John Soler and John Paris, did what was expected.

The Australian-based Falzon brothers, Nicky and James, fitted perfectly in the scheme of things, while all the others more than lived up to their responsibilities. Yesterday's final match again brought the all-round qualities of this team to the fore, with Marsascala looking a smart outfit only in the opening two quarters.

It was, in fact, close in the first sessions, which had the sides shifting ends with Sliema 3-2 ahead, whereas Marsascala's equaliser on 1-1 through Mercieca was fractionally adjudged to have passed the imaginary line, Sliema's third goal which made it 3-1, came from an indulgent Mario Dalli who awarded the Blues a very dubious penalty.

By then, the champions had wasted all their four man-ups, with the southerners converting their last on three.

Suddenly Sliema pulled away in the third session to extend their lead to 5-2 within 50 seconds, both excellent goals netted by Soler and Aquilina. Soler made it 6-2 on another break and the equilibrium was gone as the Blues' zonal block had Marsascala running into a labyrinth.

Amid the chanting of the numerous Sliema fans, Soler sneaked away to ram in goal number seven. The Blues grew taller as their zonal block and Cachia's alert goalkeeping posed all sorts of problems for Marsascala.

Soler was definitely the champions' catalyst and his fourth and fifth goals later in the last session crowned yet another triumphant outing for his team. Kayne Lanzon's goal was of no significance. Formalities were completed when the prize was presented to captain Josie Cachia.

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

Sliema: J. Cachia, N. Falzon (1), E. Aquilina (1), M. Galea Pace, J. Falzon, J. Soler (5), J. Paris (1), K. Engerer, C. Debono, F. Cutajar (1), R. Coleiro, I. Muscat, A. Bianchi.

Referees: M. Dalli, S. De Meo.