Neptunes pull away three times to resolve issue

San Giljan 12
(3-4, 4-4, 4-5, 1-3)
Neptunes 16

Leaders Neptunes Vodafone again had a casual look about them as they locked horns with neighbours San Giljan Zara. The Reds twice opened seemingly solid advantages on three and five goals respectively before some overconfidence and the Saints' refusal to throw in the towel had Joe Attard's team threatening to completely redress the imbalance in the latter sessions.

However, Neptunes had a third bite at the cherry when they were 13-12 up early in the last quarter and this time it was an effective one as they finally sealed the game in their favour. But, such flirting may cost them dearly in their impending two battles ahead.

After a sharp start for both teams, which had Neptunes leading 2-1, the scoring tempo slumped until Neptunes went 3-1 in front. John Xerri de Caro's goal was sandwiched by conversions from Dubravko Simenc and Karl Galea while Niki Lanzon's third was followed by Claudio Spiteri de Barro's brace for a 3-3 scoreline before Matthew Pisani made it 4-3.

Michele Stellini and Pisani made it 6-3 with Marco Cuk cutting down the deficit for San Giljan. John Brownrigg flicked in after which Cuk netted his second goal (7-5).

San Giljan's reaction produced two goals from Matthew Zammit as tactics at both ends were tight with a double cover on the centre.

Karl Galea won a tussle in the hole to edge Neptunes in front at the half-way mark.

Until that stage the duel had looked very balanced thanks to the Saints' ability to fight back and annul a three-goal disadvantage. It was a question of whether Neptunes' superior team qualities would upstage San Giljan's double-pronged threat from Cuk and Zammit.

Steve Camilleri broke his duck on a man-up early in the third session with Pisani surprising Dean Camilleri with a distant shot for a 10-7 lead.

Camilleri's converted penalty continued the apparent slump for the Saints as their coach called a time-out to pep up his team. Zammit, from a penalty, pulled a goal back (11-8).

But, Neptunes' edge was very evident now as two goals from Steve Camilleri opened a five-goal gap.

Cuk reached his hat-trick to make it 13-9 before a lob from Silvio Borg reduced the arrears to three goals.

Again, San Giljan were on a recovery mission as they pulled back another goal to make it only a two-goal disadvantage at the end of the third quarter.

Unbelievably, Neptunes muffed a double-man advantage and paid the penalty as Kayne Lanzon broke to pull another goal back for 13-12.

But Pisani's day of grace was underlined as he netted his fourth personal goal. It was now press at both ends with neither side taking any chances even if Neptunes were staying the pace better.

A break from Simenc presented the useful Galea with a clear chance which the Neptunes centre duly converted.

The Reds' third massive press on the accelerator had produced a final breakthrough as the free-scoring Camilleri netted his fifth goal to kill off San Giljan's hopes.

San Giljan: D. Camilleri, C. Spiteri de Barro 2, A. Galea, C. Bonello, I. Azzopardi, M. Zammit 4, M. Cuk 3, K. Schembri, G. Ghirxi, A. Borda, S. Borg 1, J. Xerri de Caro 1, K. Lanzon 1.

Neptunes: N. Gouder, N. Lanzon 1, T. Agius, D. Simenc 1, E. Cachia, J. Brownrigg 1, S. Camilleri 5, L. Attard, D. Camilleri, K. Galea 3, A. Sammut, M. Stellini 1, M. Pisani 4.

Refs: I. Sciriha, F. Brasiliano.

Leaders Exiles maintain pace

Exiles 16
(5-1, 4-3, 4-3, 3-2)
Marsaxlokk 9

Having missed qualification for the top group, Exiles's sights have been firmly set on clinching the Division Two title. Their latest victory over Marsaxlokk Freeport yesterday helped them maintain a clean sheet in the second phase matches as well as the pace as front runners alongside Marsascala.

Faster swimming and a wider array of scorers, including Marco Booij and John Paris (seven and three goals respectively) assured the team from Sliema a firm foothold which was never threatened despite the southerners' effort to stay in the game.

In fact, Sergei Frolov, of Marsaxlokk, was made to carry too heavy a burden against the collective ability of Exiles.

A four-goal first-session advantage for Exiles was minimally increased in each of the next three quarters after which it was only a matter of statistics concerning the top scorers for each team. The final readings gave the verdict to Booij who netted two goals move than Frolov.

Exiles: N. Imbroll, A. Borg Cole, M. Zarb, D. Pace Lupi 2, T. Sullivan 1, G. Desira Buttigieg, J. Paris 3, J. Cremona 1, J.J. Tabone, S. Gravina 1, M. Booij 7, A. Arrigo, M. Calleja 1.

Marsaxlokk: R. Bonnici, K. Grima Scott 2, R. Calleja 1, A. Farrugia, N. Kerr, C. Bugeja, E. Pisani 1, G. Lubrano, S. Frolov 5, F. Testa, D. Cassar, J. Vella, D. Debono.

Refs: A. DeRaffaele, A. Farrugia.