Goalkeeper Gouder inspires Neptunes to success

Marsascala 5
Neptunes 8
(1-2, 0-2, 1-2, 3-2)

Against Sliema Burger King it was young Steve Camilleri who earned the plaudits. Yesterday, another budding teenager, Nicky Gouder, covered himself with glory as he inspired an almost tactically flawless Neptunes Vodafone to a deserved 8-5 victory over Marsascala Breakers in the 7-Up knockout final, which was the Balluta Bay's team 18th success in this competition.

The scoreline might indicate it was a close affair, but Neptunes' superiority was much more pronounced, although Gouder in goal was an exceptional protagonist.

The Reds, with Niki Lanzon also playing an excellent all-rounder role, defied an erstwhile erratic Marsascala on no fewer than nine out of ten man-up sets, but generally Neptunes' flexible block put the southerners in all sorts of trouble.

The south seasiders may have had some close shaves but they will be the first to admit that they did not live with their opponents.

Both teams initially opted for stringent press and when Neptunes missed their first set, Lanzon immediately put matters right for them with a backhand.

With David Camilleri excluded, Marsa-scala failed to score. They missed a second time when Charles Zammit was off, but Anthony Galea rifled in from eight metres. Neptunes also missed their second man-up, only to go ahead from a Lanzon penalty on an alleged two-handed block off a man-down Marsascala set.

Malcolm Azzopardi drilled in goal number three after the first restart, but it was still finely balanced as Neptunes gradually went for zone block. Gouder, 18, brought off a couple of fine saves before Azzopardi converted a man-up from the number four position. Marsascala missed their third man-up with Neptunes failing theirs.

More excellent saves from Gouder kept Neptunes 4-1 ahead by the half-way mark. In the meantime, Paul Privitera was on two exclusions and was not risked until after ends were changed.

Although Neptunes were playing better, exchanges were not so sparkling and intense. After almost three minutes David Camilleri was on a second exclusion but the southerners messed their fifth man-up on the trot.

However, Galea again beat the defiant Gouder to reduce the gap to 4-2. Neptunes were not finding it easy to carve the breaks. The sharp Azzopardi reached his hat-trick to make it 5-2 before a sixth man-up squandered opportunity presented the breaking Lanzon with a chance to make it 6-2.

Marsascala's ghastly misses on man-ups reached the eight-point mark.

The last session started with the Balluta Bay team four goals ahead. There was no room for complacency from them, though.

Amid more saves from Gouder, Marsascala started panicking. Lanzon converted his team's next man-up for a 7-2 lead.

Anthony Galea wrapped up his hat-trick before Mario Zammit broke his team's man-up duck to make it 7-4 at the 10th time of asking with just over three minutes to go.

Neptunes were intent on utilising their possession period now, but were in total tactical control as their opponents were forced into panic shooting even if the Reds' rearguard closed their ranks expertly.

Karl Galea made it 8-4 on a Neptunes' break before Ciappara netted a consolation for Pierre Borg's team.

At the final whistle, the Reds supporters let off their steam especially when they were presented with the cup by Farsons' representative, Alison Schembri, 7-Up brand executive.

Marsascala: I. Bugeja, P. Fava, A. Galea (3), P. Privitera, C. Gialanze, J. Xerri de Caro, C. Mercieca, J. Cremona, K. Lanzon, J. Licari, A. Tanti, M. Zammit (1), D. Ciappara (1).

Neptunes: N. Gouder, N. Lanzon (4), S. Camilleri, K. Galea (1), E. Cachia, J. Brownrigg, S. Gravina, C. Zammit, David Camilleri, M. Azzopardi (3), Dean Camilleri, M. Stellini, M. Pisani.

Referees: M. Ancilleri/F. Rotunno.

Division Two - Exiles land KO title

Exiles 10
Otters 4
(2-0, 2-0, 2-1, 4-3)

Exiles RMF atoned for a disappointing league season by clinching the knockout when yesterday they saw off Otters ASC.

Thus Exiles retained the honour to end the summer on a bright note.

There was not even the slightest doubt about Exiles' ascendancy yesterday. They broke freely to open a comfortable 4-0 advantage by the halfway mark in the second session.

Thereafter, Otters had no response despite their propensity to play enterprisingly. In fact, after Exiles extended their advantage to 6-1 by the end of the third session, the last quarter produced a bonanza of goals with Exiles again edging out their opponents 4-3.

Exiles' captain Silvio Borg was presented with the prize but it was a significant moment when Stefan Grech for Otters received the runners-up cup.

Exiles: A. Grech, M. Grima, M. Zarb (1), D. Pace Lupi (1), J. Cuschieri, K. Camilleri, M. Psaila (1), A. Arrigo (1), J.J. Tabone (1), S. Balzan (2), S. Borg (2), J. Vella (1), M. Calleja.

Otters: R. Grech, J. Mercieca (1), G.L. Zammit, S. Grech (1), D. Saliba, C. Zammit, K. Mizzi, P. Saliba (1), J.P. Buttigieg, D. Zammit (1), A. Sciberras, S. Grech, J. Cassar.

Referees: M. Caruana/A. De Raffaele.