Sirens again sink Reds as Blues win

A well-drilled Sirens were again in fine form yesterday when they pulled all the strings to sink holders Neptunes Vodafone as easily as they had done in the corresponding first-round match.

It was almost a replica of that encounter as the St Paul's Bay team took a four-goal lead, courtesy of a hat-trick from Charlie Zammit, only for the Reds to get back on level terms midway through the second quarter, before Sirens pulled away once more.

But again, as happened in that first match, the erratic Neptunes squandered most of their man-up opportunities, including a double-man advantage, a penalty and a host of clear-cut chances with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Meanwhile, the Northerners' concentration in their five-metre zone and a better eye for goal, also abetted by some poor defensive cover from Neptunes, helped Pierre Borg to guide his team to victory almost in casual fashion.

While Sirens should be satisfied with yesterday's output, the Balluta team would do well to ponder on how to exploit their extra-man sets, never mind an aborted opportunity with almost three minutes left, and 10-7 down, when the possession period seemed to be erroneously curtailed on a man-up for Neptunes.

In the second match Sliema McDonald's recorded their expected victory over San Giljan Zara, with the Blues stealing a march on their opponents from the second session onwards.

The Saints could only battle as well as they could against a stronger outfit to keep the adverse scoreline within respectable limits. The collective scoring power of Peter Decesare's team, yesterday without Jonathan Valletta who is nursing a broken finger, was only matched by that of Matthew Zammit.

Otherwise, Sliema's tactical edge and a superior conversion rate when on numerical superiority accounted for a legitimate scoreline, which leaves the Blues in pole position alongside Sirens.

Yesterday's match scoring chart was headed by Edward Aquilina who netted five times followed by Zammit, scorer of a poker.

Sirens 10
Neptunes 7
(4-1, 2-3, 3-0, 1-3)

Sirens: A. Grech, P. Fava (1), K. Rizzo Naudi, P. Privitera (2), J. Rizzo Naudi, E. Bonello, J. Borg (1), D. Cutajar, K. Montfort (1), C. Zammit (3), C. Mercieca (2), R. Attard, J. Sammut, T. Debono, R. Scerri.

Neptunes: N. Gouder, N. Lanzon (1), J. Camilleri, K. Galea (1), G. Sammut, J. Brownrigg, S. Camilleri (2), L. Attard, D. Camilleri, S. Gravina (1), R. Sciortino, M. Stellini (2), M. Pisani, D. Caruana, T. Agius.

Refs: M. Dalli, M. Caruana.

Sliema 13
San Giljan 8
(1-2, 6-2, 3-1, 3-3)

Sliema: J. Cachia, C. Gialanze, E. Aquilina (5), M. Rizzo, M. Meli (1), J. Soler (2), D. Paolella (1), C. Debono (2), M. Axiaq, F. Cutajar (2), J. Gabaretta, J. Spiteri Staines, A. Bianchi, S. Meli.

San Giljan: D. Camilleri, C. Spiteri De Barro (3), A. Galea, C. Bonello (1), M. Pace, M. Zammit (4), G. Toth, J. Bonnici, M. Miggiani, K. Schembri, S. Borg, J. Xerri De Caro, K. Lanzon.

Refs: I. Sciriha, P. Balzan.

Today: 11.30 a.m. Malta Youths vs Sirens.