Sliema, Neptunes register comfortable wins
Neptunes 18San Giljan 4(2-0, 5-2, 6-0, 5-2)\nNeptunes Vodafone went on a scoring spree when they faced San Giljan Big Bon and won easily with more than something to spare as the 18-4 scoreline indicates. The Saints, who had lowered Sliema's colours in...
Neptunes 18
San Giljan 4
(2-0, 5-2, 6-0, 5-2)
\nNeptunes Vodafone went on a scoring spree when they faced San Giljan Big Bon and won easily with more than something to spare as the 18-4 scoreline indicates.
The Saints, who had lowered Sliema's colours in their previous match, were expected to pose some sort of threat to the league leaders.
But any thoughts of San Giljan putting behind them their first-round 17-5 thrashing against the Reds was quickly cast aside as Joe Attard's team, also handicapped by the absence of top scorer Matthew Zammit, fell prey to Neptunes' fast breakaways.
The Balluta Bay team, again without Karl Galea, ran down their opponents' energies with a stifling all-pitch press and sharp execution on situations of numerical advantage resulting from man-up sets where they had a healthy seven on eight reading and lightning thrusts towards goal after winning possession from deep positions.
In top scorer Steve Camilleri, who netted six goals, Neptunes had a diamond-cutting edge.
The scoreline started taking gaping proportions from the second session onwards, after which Karl Izzo introduced numerous tailenders. But Neptunes' scoring momentum did not show any signs of waning.
Neptunes: N. Gouder, N. Lanzon 3, R. Mock, K. Farrugia, E. Cachia 3, J. Brownrigg 1, S. Camilleri 6, L. Attard, D. Camilleri, S. Gravina 1, R. Sciortino, M. Stellini 2, M. Pisani 2.
San Giljan: D. Camilleri, K. Lanzon, A. Galea 2, C. Bonello, G. Ghirxi, A. Borda, I. Azzopardi, M. Pace, T. Debono, K. Grima Scott 2, S. Borg, J. Xerri de Caro, K. Schembri.
Refs: M. Dalli, M. Caruana.
Sliema 13
Marsaxlokk 5
(4-1, 4-1, 2-1, 3-2)
Sliema Burger King registered their expected victory over wooden-spoonists Marsaxlokk Freeport 13-5 in the first match on yesterday's card.
The Blues' superiority rendered their outing a mere formality as coach Marco Manara kept up the rate of substitutions at brisk level. Marsaxlokk's early lead from a Charles Bugeja perfect lob was promptly neutralised by Clint Debono.
That was followed by regular Sliema conversions on breaks or man-over sets despite the southerners' effort to limit the damage.
Marsaxlokk's five goals and a slight decrease in the Blues' scoring-rate made the gap less yawning for Warren Debono's team.
Sliema: J. Cachia, C. Gialanze, E. Aquilina 2, M. Manara, M. Meli 1, J. Soler 3, D. Paolella, M. Rizzo 1, C. Debono 3, F. Cutajar 2, K. Scerri, A. Bianchi 1, R. Coleiro.
Marsaxlokk: R. Bonnici, S. Cachia 1, D. Debono, A. Farrugia 2, N. Kerr 1, C. Bugeja 1, C. Jones, S. Cutajar, E. Pisani, F. Testa, D. Cassar, J. Vella, M. Fava.
Refs: M. Angileri, P. Giordano.