Revived Sirens down Blues

Sliema 5
Sirens 8
(0-2, 1-1, 2-2, 2-3)

Sirens Hard Rock Cafe recovered from last Sunday's 9-5 hiding against Neptunes Vodafone to inflict a second defeat in a week on Sliema McDonalds in a match which the St Paul's Bay team conducted scorewise and also in terms of tactics.

A sound defensive line was the springboard for Sirens' success, a ploy which made Sliema huff and puff to find a clear opening for an effective shot at goal.

Displaying the banner 'Dominating Since 1912', the Blues supporters were certainly downcast yesterday as they realised that their favourites were in no way in dominating form, at least on the day's showing.

Sirens' marshalling when not in possession was effective and their snap goals at the other end made the difference between the teams.

Set play at either end proved unproductive until Paul Privitera exploited the first man-up, after which Sliema missed twice when having a man extra and paying the price when Juergen Borg broke to net Sirens' second goal.

In the second session, an excellent choral move set up Karl Montfort for the third goal. Daniel Paolella's breakaway, supported by his colleagues, produced the Blues' first goal.

Meanwhile, Sliema squandered their third numerical advantage and also a couple of breaks. Sirens' claims for a penalty in the last seconds of the second quarter went unheeded as Paul Fava negotiated a clear way to goal.

Borg re-opened a three-goal lead for Sirens with Edward Aquilina reducing the gap on his team's fourth man-up. Fava's fine backhand made it 5-2 before Jonathan Valletta eluded tight marking from the centre to bridge the deficit to 5-3 with a fine effort.

With Sirens missing their second man-up, another three-goal advantage for them before the end of the third session went abegging.

Another Sirens man-up proved abortive allowing Valletta to beat Alan Grech from a distance for a 5-4 scoreline with almost six minutes to go for the end of the game.

Clint Mercieca profited from his team's fourth man-up to make it 6-4 with Tamas Varga getting his name on the scoresheet when Charlie Zammit was excluded.

With time almost running out for Sliema, Tamas Marcz swivelled round on a free-throw for a splendid back-hand goal, with Fava rounding up for a deserved victory which leaves Sirens with hopes of recovering for the honours.

Sliema: J. Cachia, C. Gialanze, E. Aquilina 1, M. Rizzo, M. Meli, J. Soler, T. Varga 1, J. Valletta 2, C. Debono, F. Cutajar, D. Paolella 1, A. Bianchi, R. Coleiro.

Sirens: A. Grech, P. Fava 2, T. Marcz 1, P. Privitera 1, J. Rizzo Naudi, R. Scerri, J. Borg 2, D. Cutajar, K. Montfort 1, C. Zammit, C. Mercieca 1, R. Attard, E. Arrigo.

Refs: P. Balzan, A. Severo.

Division Two

Ta' Xbiex 14
Otters 8
(4-1, 2-1, 4-2, 4-4)

Ta' Xbiex Mermaids Paradise's recent run of positive results could not be interrupted against the likes of the hapless, even if combative, Otters and yesterday's victory was always on the cards.

As usual, their experience and potting ability made up for their evident lack of speed, and despite a slice of casual play from them and some resistance from the Gozitans, Ta' Xbiex always enjoyed an edge over their modest opponents, with reliable left-hander Roman Polacik netting most of his team's goals.

Aldo Scerri's team secured their base in the first session when they took a 4-1 lead. Henceforth, they always kept their opponents at bay.

Ta' Xbiex: A. Tanti, P. Paolella, M. Manara 1, M. Galea Pace 1, C. D'Ugo, K. Sciortino 1, M. Camilleri, R. Polacik 5, J. Tabone 2, K. Engerer 1, C. Sciortino, J. Vella, D. Pisani 3.

Otters: R. Grech, D. Saliba, G. Zammit, S. Grech, S. Cutajar, D. Saliba, P. Saliba, K. Mizzi 1, L. Cachia 1, C. Saliba 1, S. Tibor 3, F. Bajada 1, E. Farrugia 1.

Refs: M. Caruana, A. DeRaffaele.

Fixtures

Today:
U-19
4.30 p.m. Sirens vs Exiles.

Div. Two
5.45 p.m. Marsascala vs Marsaxlokk.

Div. One
7 p.m. Neptunes vs San Giljan.