Clinical Blues sink Neptunes

Sliema 15
Neptunes 12
(5-3, 3-4, 4-2, 3-3)

The match of the weekend saw Sliema Burger King and Neptunes Vodafone lock horns in front of the biggest crowd of the season in a match which had both contestants battling it out for supremacy, but which finally went the way of the Blues courtesy of a solid display of waterpolo.

It was a deserved victory for the team steered by their ex-stalwart Marco Manara whose pre-match plan of exploiting the opportunistic qualities of Tibor Benedek and Edward Aquilina was executed to perfection.

However, it was a collective effort by the Blues which finally wore down Neptunes who only operated in flashes despite their renowned fitness on the counter. In fact Sliema nullified almost all the Reds' breakaways.

With tight cover at both ends the match was keenly fought with neither side yielding an inch.

The Blues took an early lead but Neptunes turned it their way only for Sliema to open a 4-2 advantage. Goals at both ends brought the first session to a close with Sliema leading 5-3 and Benedek already scorer of a hat-trick.

At this stage, Neptunes, including Dubravko Simenc, were looking ponderous with Hungarian Benedek grabbing chances with clinical efficiency.

Sliema's defensive shield was giving nothing away even allowing for some inept play from the Reds. Somehow Neptunes dug into their reserves of oxygen to pull back to a one-goal disadvantage at the halfway stage, when at one time they were 7-3 behind.

With Francesco Cutajar fouled out, Sliema had to summon other units in order to quell their opponents' offensive reaction which had Karl Galea and Nicky Lanzon in the forefront.

Goals kept alternating in the third session with the Blues eventually keeping their noses in front on a 12-9 scoreline with the last session to go.

Neptunes again closed the gap but the Blues remained calm and with time running out the Reds were unable to make any headway. Sliema went four goals ahead and looked a safe bet to collect the points as only three minutes remained.

Although the Reds closed in on 14-12, Aquilina obtained his double hat-trick to set the seal on his side's victory.

Sliema: J. Cachia, C. Gialanze, E. Aquilina 6, M. Rizzo, M. Meli, J. Soler 1, D. Paolella 1, T. Benedek 5, C. Debono 1, F. Cutajar, G. Lubrano, A. Bianchi 1, R. Coleiro.

Neptunes: N. Gouder, N. Lanzon 2, T. Agius, D. Simenc, E. Cachia, J. Brownrigg, S. Camilleri 3, L. Attard, D. Camilleri, K. Galea 3, A. Sammut, M. Stellini 2, M. Pisani 2.

Refs: M. Dalli, M. Angileri.

Marsaxlokk 9
Ta' Xbiex 10
(4-1, 1-3, 3-3, 1-3)

In a curtain-raiser to the big clash, Ta' Xbiex Mermaids Paradise edged Marsaxlokk Freeport by the odd goal in 19.

The southerners, at one point leading 5-1, were pegged back by their opponents who recovered to cut the leeway and finally forge ahead with four minutes to go. The exchanges grew to a crescendo in the last minute with the outcome remaining in the balance until Ta' Xbiex managed to hold out for a 10-9 victory.

Sergei Frolov, with four goals, ended up as Marsaxlokk's top scorer, with Karl Rizzo Naudi and Dorian Pisani setting their team's scoring charts with three goals each.

Marsaxlokk: R. Bonnici, S. Cachia 2, R. Calleja 1, A. Farrugia 1, D. Debono, C. Bugeja, E. Pisani, S. Cutajar, S. Frolov 4, F. Testa, D. Cassar, J. Vella, K. Grima Scott 1.

Ta' Xbiex: A. Tanti, G. Attard 1, K. Rizzo Naudi 3, K. Sciortino, C. D'Ugo, J. Rizzo Naudi 1, C. Saliba, D. Schembri 1, P. Paolella, T. van Oost 1, C. Sciortino, S. Balzan, D. Pisani 3.

Refs: M. Caruana, I. Sciriha.