Exiles win thrilling decider

Exiles 10
Marsascala 9
(1-0, 1-4, 1-2, 7-3)

Exiles won the Division Two decider with a goal at the death by Dutch player Marco Booij. Exiles, who only needed a draw last Saturday against Marsascala but lost 13-10, again confirmed they were the most consistent side in Division Two.

In the first three sessions Marsascala defended better but Exiles were the better swimmers on the day and left it late to turn the tables on their opponents to finally clinch the title.

John Paris put Exiles ahead in the opening session but Sacho Popovski drew the teams level and again showed his true worth when he beat the challenge of two defenders to put his team 2-1 up.

Seconds later Mark Borg Spiteri, with a fine lob, made it 3-1.

Stephen Micallef opened a three-goal lead for Marsascala but Joe Cremona pulled one back for Exiles from a man-up situation - 4-2.

Cremona scored a beauty from eight metres out but Paul Fava restored Marsascala's two-goal lead midway through the third session. With a few seconds on the clock Liam Griscti scored a goal which goalkeeper Imbroll should have kept out.

After only five seconds of the last session Exiles came back into the picture when from a Martin Calleja pass Paris made it 6-4. Booij scored for Exiles when Paul Fava was fouled out and the Sliema side were back on track.

With a little more than four minutes to go Paris restored parity and it was now game on. But 30 seconds later Mark Borg Spiteri made it 7-6 with a man-up situation with Paris again cancelling the deficit with a bounce shot.

Booij missed a sitter when his shot hit the bar. David Pace Lupi made it 8-7 for Exiles with Ryan Cutajar making it 8-8 with two minutes to go. Mark Borg Spiteri pushed Marsascala ahead 9-8 but up came Cremona who hit home the equaliser with only 29 seconds to go.

Then came Booij's cracker when he won a foul and turned well to beat Bugeja with a blistering shot.

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

Marsascala: I. Bugeja, J. Cachia, M. Spiteri, A. Galea, M. Borg Spiteri 3, S. Popovski 2, P. Fava 1, L. Griscti 1, S. Micallef 1, M. Fava, R. Cutajar 1, M. Zammit, D. Ciappara.

Refs: M. Dalli, P. Balzan.

KO schedule

Today: (Division Two semi-final) 5.30 p.m. Marsascala vs Otters. Preliminary round - 6.45 p.m. Exiles vs Marsaxlokk.

Tomorrow: (Division One semi-final) 6.30 p.m. Sliema vs Sirens.

Thursday: (Division Two semi-final) 5.30 p.m. Ta Xbiex vs Exiles/Marsaxlokk. (Division One semi-final) 6.45 p.m. San Giljan vs Neptunes.

Saturday: 5.30 p.m. Division Two final. 6.45 p.m. Division One final.