Neptunes make it four in a row

San Giljan 9
(4-6, 2-7, 1-2, 2-3)
Sliema 18

Facing a must-win scenario to force a play-off should Neptunes falter against Sirens in the subsequent match, Sliema Burger King did not take long to establish an adequate buffer against San Giljan Big Bon in yesterday's first match on the last day of the pre-season competition.

Apart from that, the Blues had a score to settle, having surprisingly come a cropper against the Saints in the corresponding first round match.

But this time there was no question as to their superiority especially with 10-goal Edward Aquilina constantly picking his spot with ease.

An incident late in the second session, which led to Josie Cachia being sent off for good (with a replacement) for showing dissent, provoked long discussions after John Soler was also dismissed with substitution for what seemed to be a double infringement when saving a penalty and a subsequent total of three personal faults.

Consultation with the rule book and further exchanges of views between the match officials, resulted in Soler going back into the water as the decision was reversed.

In any case, Sliema went on to register a comfortable victory.

San Giljan: D. Camilleri, N. Lanzon (1), A. Galea, C. Bonello, G. Ghirxi, M. Zammit (4), I. Azzopardi (1), M. Pace, K. Grima Scott (1), A. Borda, S. Borg (1), J. Xerri de Caro (1), K. Schembri.

Sliema: J. Cachia, C. Gialanze, E. Aquilina (10), M. Manara, M. Meli (3), J. Soler (3), D. Paolella, M. Rizzo, C. Debono (2), G. Lubrano, R. Xerri, A. Bianchi, R. Coleiro.

Referees: P. Balzan, M. Caruana.

Sirens 7
(0-1, 3-1, 1-5, 3-5)
Neptunes 12

Sergio Afric, back on the island to guide Neptunes Vodafone, hopes that his team's latest triumph will herald brighter things in summer when he is gunning to lead the Reds to league success and thus extend his record of having won the national championship with four different clubs.

Yesterday, Neptunes pulled all the strings from the third session onwards to submerge 2X Sirens whose only interest in the match was that of salvaging their prestige.

Neptunes' superior reserves of oxygen and their powerful play swayed the game in their favour. Victory meant that they have now won the Winter League for four years in succession (2005 edition was not held) and a total of six times out of 12 competitions held so far since 1994.

They owed their triumph to their resilience and a scoring sharpness unequalled by all their rivals.

Sirens, who had Paul Privitera back, were well in the game until the end of the second session to shift sides 3-2 ahead. But then Afric, assisted by Karl Izzo, must have given his team a good pep talk during the interval as the Reds infused a sudden surge of power in their game to leave their opponents wondering what had hit them.

No fewer than six players got amongst the goals, with the returning Karl Galea helping himself to a brace.

It seemed to be all over shortly after the start of the last quarter as Neptunes extended their 7-4 lead to 9-5.

Their press shifted to effective zone as the situation warranted and to this Sirens, who had brought on Alan Grech in goal (now a normal baton change) had no response to the Reds' breaks and clinical finishing.

After the match, Martin Debono, Marketing Manager for Wilkinson Sword, presented the Winter League Cup to captain Niki Lanzon.

Sirens: J. Caruana Dingli, A. Grech, K. Rizzo Naudi, P. Privitera, C. Zammit, J. Valletta (1), J. Borg (3), D. Cutajar, K. Montfort (1), J. Rizzo Naudi, C. Mercieca (1), R. Attard (1), N. Cassar.

Neptunes: N. Gouder, N. Lanzon (3), K. Farrugia, K. Galea (2), E. Cachia, J. Brownrigg, S. Camilleri (1), L. Attard, D. Camilleri (1), S. Gravina, R. Sciortino, M. Stellini (2), M. Pisani (3).

Referees: M. Dalli, M. Angileri.

Past Winners:

1994 Neptunes; '95 San Giljan; '96 Sliema; '97 Sirens; '98 Sliema; '99 Sliema; 2000 Neptunes; '01 Sirens; '02 Neptunes; '03 Neptunes; '04 Nep-tunes; '05 Not held; '06 Neptunes.