San Giljan in top pool

Marsaxlokk 10
(3-4, 2-3, 3-3, 2-1)
San Giljan 11

San Giljan Zara, minus the services of their ace marksman Matthew Zammit, were given a pretty tough run for their spoils by a battling Marsaxlokk Freeport who in the end conceded defeat by a mere goal.

With nothing at stake, the Southseasiders gave San Giljan a good run for their money and as it turned out they were only denied of at least the sharing of the spoils due to adverse scorelines in the first two sessions.

At times, the Saints were three goals ahead but as Marsaxlokk kept trimming down the deficit Joe Attard's team were always apprehensive they might be caught up.

Marko Cuk's poker was valuable, even if Marsaxlokk's Sergei Frolov did his best with another four goals.

By virtue of this victory the San Giljan have made it to the top pool, starting next weekend.

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

San Giljan: K. Schembri, C. Spiteri de Barro 3, T. Galea, C. Bonello, I. Azzopardi, D. Camilleri, M. Cuk 4, M. Pace, J. Bonnici, R. Scerri, S. Borg 1, J. Xerri de Caro 2, K. Lanzon 1.

Refs: M. Dalli, A. Farrugia.

Ta' Xbiex 11
(0-2, 3-5, 5-6 3-3)
Exiles 16

Exiles RMF took to the water in the knowledge that victory over Ta' Xbiex Mermaids Paradise would only count for statistical purposes especially after San Giljan's victory in the preceding encounter. Exiles had missed the bus with regards to obtaining a berth in the top pool.

Nevertheless, with no pressure to bear on their game, Exiles were good enough to lower the colours of Ta' Xbiex who tried to make a game of it but finally had to throw in the towel.

A 5-0 lead, which matured through the second session, had the Sliema team paving the way for their victory despite the effort of Ta' Xbiex to keep the damage to a minimum.

Four goals apiece by John Paris and Gerben Silvis laid the foundations for Dirk Dowling's side while Tom Van Oost led Ta' Xbiex's scorers' list with a hat-trick.

Ta' Xbiex: A. Tanti, G. Attard 1, P. Paolella 2, D. Dowling, K. D'Ugo, J. Rizzo Naudi 1, C. Saliba, D. Schembri 2, T. Boyd, T. Van Oost 3, K. Sciortino, S. Balzan, D. Pisani 2.

Exiles: N. Imbroll, J. Cuschieri, M. Zarb, D. Pace Lupi, T. Sullivan 2, G. Desira Buttigieg, J. Paris 4, J. Cremona 1, J.J. Tabone, S. Gravina 2, G. Silvis 4, A. Arrigo, M. Calleja 3.

Refs: M. Caruana, M. Angileri.