MARSAXLOKK 6
(4-3, 1-0, 0-2, 1-2)
EXILES 7

The Preliminary Round matches between the teams who will be contesting the Second Division came to an end yesterday. The first match, that between Marsaxlokk Freeport and Exiles RMF, developed into a close duel with both teams trying to outwit each other mostly on open play.

Set-pieces, especially on man-up situations, did not prove very productive for both teams.

The southerners, who showed a marked improvement on their last outing when they went down 7-2 to Valletta, led 4-3 in a high-scoring first session, after which exchanges in goal terms were quiet.

Marsaxlokk took a 5-3 lead at the half-way mark with Exiles winning the third quarter to restore parity with the last session to go.

Exiles took a two-goal lead, courtesy of a brace from Timmy Sullivan, scorer of a hat-trick. Marsaxlokk pulled back a goal midway through the last seven minutes and then harboured hopes of saving the game.

However, Dirk Dowling's team prevailed till the end.

MARSAXLOKK: R. Bonnici, S. Cachia 1, R. Calleja, A. Farrugia, N. Kerr, C. Bugeja 2, C. Jones, S. Cutajar 2, K. Incorvaja, M. Fava 1, M. Rizzo, M. Cutajar, G. Zammit.

EXILES: J. Cuschieri, M. Grima, M. Zarb, A. Borg Cole, T. Sullivan 3, S. Cini, G. Desira Buttigieg, J. Cremona 1, J.J. Tabone 2, W. Privitera, A. Arrigo, J. Vella, M. Calleja 1.

Refs: P. Balzan, M. Caruana.

VALLETTA 6
(2-4, 1-2, 0-2, 3-3)
SAN GILJAN 11

Fresh from their good showing and comfortable victory against Mar-saxlokk last week, Valletta Fortina entertained hopes of putting up competitive resistance against the more-quoted San Giljan Foster Clark in yesterday's second encounter.

Until ends were changed, Valletta, although not quite on their opponents' heels, were within discreet range as they trailed by three goals on a 6-3 reading.

However, the Saints' weaponry, mostly that provided by Matthew Zammit until he was withdrawn in the latter part of the game, had always been sharper.

Two more goals in the third session and the Saints distanced themselves from the City team.

Despite San Giljan's profligacy on extra man sets (no goals from seven), the disparity between the sides became more evident. Valletta's wastefulness on man-ups was almost just as pronounced, having netted only once from seven occasions.

Hat-trick hitter Mario Zammit pulled back a goal in the last session for 8-4, only for San Giljan to keep Valletta within more than an arm's length. In the final reckoning San Giljan's edge was reflected in their margin of victory.

VALLETTA: P. Bonnici, R. D'Amato, Mauro Camilleri, Marco Camilleri, D. Degiorgio, D. Saliba, E. Mifsud, J.C. Farrugia 1, D. Shaw 1, C. Saliba 1, E. Arrigo, M. Zammit 3, E. Pisani.

SAN GILJAN: J. Spiteri, K. Lanzon 1, K. D'Ugo, C. Bonello 1, G. Ghirxi 2, M. Zammit 3, I. Azzopardi, M. Pace, G. Farrugia, A. Borda, S. Borg 2, J. Camilleri, K. Grima Scott 2.

Refs: A. DeRaffaele, M. Angileri.