Sprightly Saints stun Sliema

Sliema 10
San Giljan 11
(4-5, 2-2, 1-3, 3-1)

San Giljan Zara put up their best performance of the season to bring to an end Sliema McDonald's unbeaten run this summer after their stunning, but, deserved 11-10 victory over the Blues.

It was a very sound and solid game from the Saints who took their chances in clinical fashion in the first three sessions, after which they had to endure some hectic moments as the Blues tried to find their way back. However, given their sketchy form on the day Sliema would have hardly deserved anything better.

Early on, Anthony Galea twice gave the Saints the lead before Sliema levelled matters through Clint Debono and Jonathan Valletta. After Michael Rizzo gave the Blues a 3-2 advantage, San Giljan took their chances to score three goals in succession through Kayne Lanzon and two from Claudio Spiteri de Barro before Tamas Varga reduced the arrears to 5-4.

In the third session, exchanges remained tight with both defensive lines going for the cover to nullify any danger from the respective centres. John Xerri de Caro, yesterday in fine form, made it 6-4, with Debono bridging the gap and Soler equalising.

Josie Cachia was again surprised from the left side of goal by Xerri de Caro who edged the Saints in front on 7-6 at the halfway mark.

Three goals on the trot by Ian Azzopardi's team, two from Cuk and in between from Matthew Zammit, had the fumbling Blues on their knees as they slumped to a 10-6 deficit.

San Giljan were doing everything right at this point even after Soler pulled back a goal.

However, Cuk was dismissed with substitution late in the third session after showing dissent when being pulled up after a controversial decision which had the Saints player dispossessed.

Sliema were now forced to scrape the barrel and with Cuk on the sidelines and the Saints visibly conscious of a possible Blues' fightback the game took a dramatic turn.

Edward Aquilina made it 10-8 and with three minutes left he missed an incredible chance only for Xerri de Caro to net his third goal for an 11-8 scoreline.

With the Saints more intent on playing out time, Soler and Debono pulled back two goals, the second 53 seconds from time.

When Sliema regained possession with 28 seconds left, they could not save the game as a Debono effort was too frontal for Steve Schembri.

Sliema: J. Cachia, C. Gialanze, E. Aquilina 1, M. Rizzo 1, M. Meli, J. Soler 3, T. Varga 1, J. Valletta 1, C. Debono 3, F. Cutajar, D. Paolella, A. Bianchi, R. Coleiro.

San Giljan: K. Schembri, C. Spiteri de Barro 2, A. Galea 2, C. Bonello, E. Cachia, M. Zammit 1, M. Cuk 2, D. Camilleri, M. Pace, S. Borg, J. Xerri de Caro 3, K. Lanzon 1.

Refs: A. Pascucci, I. Sciriha.

Division Two

Marsascala 9
Ta' Xbiex 10
(2-2, 2-3, 2-2, 3-3)

Ta' Xbiex Mermaids Paradise produced another fine tactical performance which belied their pre-competition billing when they deservedly disposed of the more fancied and youthful Marsascala 7-Up by the tightest of margins in a match which produced 19 goals.

All credit goes to the veterans of Ta' Xbiex, piloted by Aldo Scerri. His team put up another exemplary display which had the otherwise very erratic Marsascala succumb to another surprising defeat.

Fortunes fluctuated but after taking a 5-4 lead towards the end of the second quarter, Ta' Xbiex kept their cool to maintain the advantage which was extended to 10-7 before Marsascala vainly fought back to close in on 10-9.

Marsascala: I. Bugeja, J.C. Cutajar, S. Farrugia, A. Galea, M. Borg Spiteri 1, L. Grixti, F. Valenti 5, K. Enriquez 1, S. Micallef 1, R. Cutajar, D. Cassar, R. Spiteri, D. Ciappara 1.

Ta' Xbiex: A. Tanti, P. Paolella 1, M. Manara 1, M. Galea Pace 2, C. D'Ugo, K. Sciortino, M. Camilleri, R. Polacik 3, J.J. Tabone 1, K. Engerer, C. Sciortino, J. Vella, D. Pisani 2.

Refs: A. De Raffaele, P. Balzan.

U-19 result: Sirens vs Exiles 12-3.